The Relationship of Personality Style and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Children

Abstract

Introduction. This study was to identify personality correlates of
children with a diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder
(ADHD). The Jungian Personality Type dimensions primarily
considered were Sensing/Intuiting and Perceiving/Judging.
A Sensing child is likely to be very present-centered. A Perceiving
child tends to be curious and resist order and structure.

Methods. Children attending a general pediatric clinic with a diagnosis
of ADHD were eligible to participate. Enrolled children
were administered the Murphy-Meisgeier Type Indicator for
Children. Binomial tests were performed comparing Perceiving
and Sensing personality components to accepted population rates.

Results. Participants (n = 117) were predominantly male
(78%) with a median age of 10 years. The Sensing trait (72%)
was more prevalent than expected, though prevalence for the
Perceiving trait (44%) did not differ from population rates.

Conclusions. Personality types occasioned with the diagnosis
of ADHD could be useful in establishing/normalizing
treatment regimens and approaches to assist these
children and their families better. KS J Med 2017;10(2):26-29.