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The Diagnosis and Prevalence of Hyperactivity in Chinese Schoolboys

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

Patrick W. L. Leung ,
S. L. Luk ,
T. P. Ho ,
Eric Taylor ,
Felice Lieh Mak  and
John Bacon-Shone
Patrick W. L. Leung*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
S. L. Luk
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Travancare Centre, 50 Flemington Street, Flemington, Victoria 3031, Australia
T. P. Ho
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Hong Kong
Eric Taylor
Affiliation:
Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, DeCrespigny Park, Denmark Hill, London SE5 8AF
Felice Lieh Mak
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Hong Kong
John Bacon-Shone
Affiliation:
Social Sciences Research Centre, University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong
*
Dr Patrick W. L. Leung, Department of Psychology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong
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Abstract

Background

This study was undertaken to examine the validity of different diagnostic definitions of hyperactivity in a Chinese population. Estimates of the prevalence of hyperactivity were made according to these different diagnostic definitions.

Method

In a two-stage epidemiological study of hyperactivity in Hong Kong, 3069 Chinese schoolboys were screened by questionnaires; and a stratified sample of 611 of them entered a second stage for more detailed diagnostic assessment.

Results

Children with hyperkinetic disorder (ICD–10) or ADDH (DSM–III) both displayed significant hyperactive symptoms, but with somewhat different external correlates; hyperkinetic disorder tended to show more neurodevelopmental impairments, ADDH more cognitive and educational difficulties. These findings raise the possibility of heterogeneity in the disorders present with hyperactivity. The DSM–III–R category of ADHD was more common, and those extra cases, that did not overlap with ADDH or hyperkinetic disorder, included children with no obvious behavioural, cognitive or neurodevelopmental impairments. Hence ADHD may be an over-inclusive category. Prevalence rates for hyperkinetic disorder, ADDH and ADHD were respectively 0.78%, 6.1% and 8.9%.

Conclusions

A disorder of hyperactivity does exist in the Chinese culture, displaying the same kinds of symptomatology and external correlates as in the West. The prevalence rates of hyperkinetic disorder and ADDH in Chinese schoolboys are on the low side when compared to those reported in Western studies.

Type
Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 168 , Issue 4 , April 1996 , pp. 486 - 496
Copyright
Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1996 

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