Assessing inattention and impulsivity in children during the Go/NoGo task

Br J Dev Psychol. 2009 Jun;27(Pt 2):365-83. doi: 10.1348/026151008X314919.

Abstract

Behavioural performance in the Go/NoGo task was compared with caregiver and teacher reports of inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity in 1,151 children (N = 557 boys; N = 594 girls) age 9- 10-years-old. Errors of commission (NoGo errors) were significantly correlated with symptom counts of hyperactivity-impulsivity, while errors of omission (Go errors) were significantly correlated with symptom counts for inattention in both caregiver and teacher reports. Cross-correlations were also evident, however, such that errors of commission were related to inattention symptoms, and errors of omission were related to hyperactivity-impulsivity. Moreover, hyperactivity-impulsivity and inattention symptoms were highly intercorrelated in both caregiver (r = .52) and teacher reports (r = .70), while errors of commission and omission were virtually uncorrelated in the Go/NoGo task (r = .06). The results highlight the difficulty in disentangling hyperactivity-impulsivity and inattention in questionnaires, and suggest that these constructs may be more clearly distinguished in laboratory measures such as the Go/NoGo task.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Twin Study

MeSH terms

  • Analysis of Variance
  • Attention / physiology*
  • Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / diagnosis
  • Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / physiopathology
  • Caregivers
  • Child
  • Child Behavior / physiology*
  • Child Behavior Disorders / diagnosis
  • Child Behavior Disorders / physiopathology
  • Cognition / physiology
  • Disruptive, Impulse Control, and Conduct Disorders / diagnosis
  • Disruptive, Impulse Control, and Conduct Disorders / physiopathology
  • Faculty
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Impulsive Behavior / physiopathology*
  • Male
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Psychomotor Performance / physiology
  • Reaction Time / physiology
  • Sex Factors
  • Surveys and Questionnaires