A Context for Hyperactivity in Children, over Time

Motor activity was examined in 74 predominantly middle-class Ss drawn from the Fels Longitudinal Study. Behavior ratings were obtained from narrative reports of observations made in the home during childhood and from interviews conducted during adolescence and young adulthood. Mothers of highly active males were critical, disapproving, unaffectionate, and severe in their punishment. None of these maternal behaviors was associated with high activity levels in females. While indices of social behavior revealed high peer involvement for active children of both sexes, males were rejected, and females accepted, by other children. Achievement striving in general, and particularly in the intellectual-academic area, was negatively associated with activity for males, and positively associated for females. Highly active Ss of both sexes exhibited achievement striving in the physical skills area, were physically aggressive and unconcerned with bodily harm. Implications were drawn relative to clinically diagnosed hyperactivity.