Patterns of temperament and character in a clinical sample of Korean children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder

Aims: The purpose of the present study was to assess patterns of temperament and character in a clinical sample of Korean children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and to investigate the relationship between patterns of temperament and character and the severity of ADHD symptoms. Methods: Fifty-one children who met DSM-IV criteria for ADHD and 51 age- and sex-matched healthy comparison subjects completed the Junior Temperament and Character Inventory (JTCI) and the DuPaul's ADHD Rating Scale (ARS-IV). Results: Children with ADHD had significantly higher scores of Novelty Seeking and lower scores of Self-directedness in both parents' rating and children's self-rating. In addition, low Self-directedness scores predicted higher total scores of ARS-IV. Conclusions: In a clinical sample of Korean children with ADHD, a distinct pattern of temperament and character was found. The current findings suggest that low Self-directedness may be related to the severity of ADHD symptoms.