Deficits in executive function (EFDs) are thought to be the mechanisms that underlie a diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). However, prior research has indicated that EFDs are not uniform throughout the ADHD population and it is not clear what factors lead to individual variability in EF abilities. The current study was conducted to (a) elucidate the possible presence of unique patterns in EFDs and (b) identify potential risk factors for clinically significant EFDs. A sample of 256 young adolescents were comprehensively assessed and diagnosed with ADHD, and parents completed the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF). Latent profile analysis (LPA) was conducted to elicit individual-level patterns of ratings across the eight clinical scales of the BRIEF. Chi-square analyses and regression models were also conducted to determine whether ADHD presentation, gender, or comorbid psychopathology was associated with the profiles elicited in the LPA. LPA results demonstrated a consistent trend in relative EF strengths and weaknesses, with patterns differing primarily in the intensity of deficits. Females with ADHD and adolescents with ADHD Combined Presentation or comorbid Oppositional Defiant Disorder exhibited more severe patterns of EFDs based upon group comparisons and regression models. ADHD may be associated with a consistent pattern of relative strengths and weaknesses in EF, although several important factors appear associated with an increased risk of more severe EFDs. These findings carry important clinical implications for the assessment of ADHD in adolescence.

中文翻译：

---

多动症青少年的执行功能缺陷：解开异质性的可能来源

执行功能 (EFD) 缺陷被认为是诊断注意力缺陷多动障碍 (ADHD) 的基础机制。然而，先前的研究表明，在整个 ADHD 人群中，EFD 并不统一，目前尚不清楚是什么因素导致了 EF 能力的个体差异。目前的研究旨在 (a) 阐明 EFD 中可能存在的独特模式，以及 (b) 确定具有临床意义的 EFD 的潜在风险因素。对 256 名青少年进行综合评估并诊断为多动症，父母完成了执行功能行为评定量表（BRIEF）。进行了潜在概况分析 (LPA) 以在简要的八个临床量表中得出个人级别的评级模式。还进行了卡方分析和回归模型，以确定 ADHD 的表现、性别或共存的精神病理学是否与 LPA 中引起的特征相关。LPA 结果显示相对 EF 优势和劣势的一致趋势，模式主要在赤字强度上有所不同。基于组比较和回归模型，患有 ADHD 的女性和患有 ADHD 联合表现或共病的对立违抗障碍的青少年表现出更严重的 EFD 模式。ADHD 可能与 EF 的相对优势和劣势的一致模式有关，尽管几个重要因素似乎与更严重的 EFD 风险增加有关。这些发现对评估青春期多动症具有重要的临床意义。