Resilience and Self-Control Impairment

Abstract

In this chapter we will focus on the most clearly operationalized behaviors that can be seen as evidence for impaired self-regulation: overactivity and impulsiveness. Within this narrow operationalized definition, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) represents a classic paradigm. ADHD is characterised by age-inappropriate levels of inattentiveness, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, with an onset in early to middle childhood. We describe the behaviors as they have emerged from observational studies and briefly summarize a large literature on their neurocognitive basis, which has suggested an altered function of brain structures involved in self-organization. The outcome studies will then be reviewed, to the effect that the resulting behavioral changes are indeed a risk factor for later psychological adjustment. This leads to a consideration of the factors that can promote resilience in the face of this risk, including what can be achieved by treatment. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2013 APA, all rights reserved). (create)