A Network Analysis of ADHD and ASD Symptoms in Chinese Children: Insights on Age and Gender Differences.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

This study aimed to explore the transdiagnostic interactions between ADHD and ASD symptoms in Chinese children, identifying core and bridging symptoms, and examining differences in symptom networks across gender and age subgroups.

Method

Using data from a nationwide mental health survey of 71,217 Chinese children (mean age = 11.49, SD = 2.82), a symptom network analysis was conducted. ADHD and ASD symptoms were assessed via the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), with ASD items selected from an empirically derived CBCL autism scale. Network estimation was performed using the Glasso algorithm, and community detection was achieved through exploratory graph analysis (EGA). Network comparison tests (NCT) were used to evaluate differences in network structure and connectiv

SUBMITTER: Luo J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12627236 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature