Examining Subtypes of Behavior Problems among 3-Year-Old Children, Part II: Investigating Differences in Parent Psychopathology, Couple Conflict, and Other Family Stressors

This study examined family stressors among 3- year-old children who were classified as hyperactive (HYP), hyperactive and oppositional defiant (HYP/OD), and nonproblem based on mothers’ reports of behavior. Children with HYP/OD were found to experience higher levels of family stressors than non-problem children on almost every family stressor variable. Compared to children with HYP, families of childrenwith HYP/OD also tended to reportmore Axis II maternal psychopathology, Axis I paternal psychopathology, and high intensity couple conflict tactics. However, the HYP and HYP/OD group did not significantly differ on maternal Axis I psychopathology, paternal Axis II psychopathology, parental marital status, negative life events, frequency of couple conflict, or use of lower intensity couple conflict tactics. Parents of children with HYP and HYP/OD reported more negative life events, more maternal adult ADHD symptoms, and more maternal avoidance and verbal aggression during marital conflict than parents of non-problem children. Implications for treatment and etiology are discussed.