Frustration tolerance in children with and without attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Abstract

Introduction: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is an alteration of neurodevelopment but there are few studies on emotional variables; specifically, about frustration tolerance.

Objective: To examine differences in scores on a test measuring frustration tolerance in a group of children with and without attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Methods: Comparative descriptive study conducted in two educational institutions in the city of Lima, Peru during the months of November and December 2019. The frustration tolerance scale was applied to 99 children: 50 diagnosed with the disorder and 49 without that condition. The coefficient d of cohen was used to examine the magnitude of the differences.

Results: In all comparisons the group with the disorder had higher scores than the group without this condition. Specifically, the most salient differences occurred in the group without medication for the condition in contrast to the group without the condition (d = -0.63); thus, they were also the ones who had the greatest differences (d = -0.49).

Conclusions: Children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder have higher scores in the test applied in relation to children who do not have this disorder. In addition, the absence of medication suggests being an aggravating factor of intolerant behaviors and the differences are greater in children with this disorder compared to children without this condition.