Objective: The aim of this study was to examine whether there is a difference in the behavioural characteristics of community- and clinic-based children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in Korea.
Method: The study included 75 community-based and 72 clinic-based subjects with ADHD. The parents of all the children completed the parent versions of the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL).
Results: The community-based ADHD subjects scored significantly higher (P < 0.01) than clinic-based subjects in the Somatic Complaints and Delinquent Behaviour profiles of the CBCL. The community-based subjects with ADHD, combined subtype, showed significantly higher mean scores in the Somatic Complaints (P < 0.01) and Thought Problems (P < 0.05) profiles than the clinic-based subjects with ADHD, combined subtype.
Conclusion: These findings suggest the possibility of an increased incidence of behavioural or emotional problems in community-based ADHD subjects when compared with clinic-based subjects in Korea.