Temperamental And Contextual Correlates of Oppositional Defiant Disorder Symptom Dimensions

Abstract

Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) typically has been studied as a single dimensional construct but findings suggest that it may be better conceptualized as a disorder of multiple dimensions that reflect qualitative differences amongst symptoms. Although two- and three-factor models have been identified, emerging studies suggest that a two-dimensional model distinguishing emotional and behavioral symptom dimensions may best characterize the disorder. Emotional and behavioral symptom dimensions have demonstrated unique associations with internalizing and externalizing symptoms and disorders, respectively, but correlates in other domains known to confer risk for ODD (e.g., child and contextual factors) have yet to be explored. Temperament and parenting are among many such factors robustly linked to ODD, but their associations with emotional and behavioral symptom dimensions specifically remain unclear. To address these gaps in the literature, the present study explored temperament (e.g., mood quality, approach) and parenting behaviors (e.g., acceptance, psychological control, and inconsistent discipline) as correlates of emotional and behavioral dimensions and considered whether parenting behaviors moderate the relation between temperament and ODD symptom dimensions. Participants included 775 youth (72% male, 76% Caucasian) and their biological parents. Temperament and parenting behaviors were assessed when youth were 10-12 years old (Time 1), and ODD symptoms were assessed when youth were 14-16 years old (Time 2). Regression analyses examined the main effects of temperament and parenting, as well as whether parenting behaviors moderate the relation between temperament and emotional and behavioral ODD symptom dimensions. Results indicated a significant main effect of parental acceptance in the prediction of both the emotional and behavioral symptom dimensions. Furthermore, parental psychological control factors emerged as moderators of the relation between temperamental approach and ODD behavioral symptoms; specifically, youth higher in approach exhibited fewer behavioral symptoms in the context of lower parental psychological control. The identification of risk processes associated with ODD symptom dimensions may help to elucidate etiological models and inform interventions that can target those factors most strongly related to each dimension.