Stephen Hinshaw, Professor

Research Biography

Stephen P. Hinshaw's main interests lie in the fields of child clinical psychology and developmental psychopathology. Major themes of his work include the diagnostic validity of childhood disorders, the role of peer relationships in normal and atypical development, the utility of identifying subcategories of aggressive behavior, the early prediction of behavioral and learning problems, the neuropsychology of externalizing behavior in childhood, the contribution of family factors to acting out behavior, and the implementation of combinations of psychosocial and pharmacologic intervention for children with externalizing behavior disorders.

Several of these themes combine in Hinshaw's studies of children with attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). In intensive summer research programs, previously unfamiliar youngsters--some with diagnoses of ADHD; some comparison children without behavioral problems--come together to participate in classroom, playground, and small-group activities that simulate natural environments. Observations of ongoing behavior allow investigations of the interrelationships among social behavior, peer reputation, moral reasoning, parenting style, and diagnostic status (including aggressive vs. nonaggressive ADHD children). In addition, the response of youngsters with ADHD to stimulant medication is investigated. Currently, three years of summer camps for girls with ADHD are underway.

Another major project involves a multi-site, long-term clinical trial of medication and psychosocial interactions for children with ADHD. Along with NIMH and five other research centers, Berkeley is conducting treatment process and outcome research in an intensive experimental investigation, with Hinshaw serving as Principal Investigator for the Berkeley site. Predictors and mediators of treatment outcome are featured in this research, which comprises the largest scale project of its kind in the field. Follow-up investigations are now underway.

Students who work with Dr. Hinshaw learn extensively about the assessment of childhood behavioral disorders; the implementation of cognitive-behavioral treatment procedures for children; the use of parent management training for families; and the theoretical linkages among cognitive, linguistic, behavioral, and peer- related systems in normal and atypical development. Both experimental and longitudinal research design skills are emphasized, with particular focus on data analytic tools. Students are encouraged to receive broad training in child and adult psychopathology, psychological evaluation, multivariate statistics, developmental psychology, and psychopharmacology.

 

Representative Publications:

Hinshaw, S. P. (1992). Externalizing behavior problems and academic underachievement in childhood and adolescence: Causal relationships and underlying mechanisms. Psychological Bulletin, 111, 127-155.

Hinshaw, S. P., Lahey, B. B., & Hart, E. L. (1993). Issues of taxonomy and comorbidity in the development of conduct disorder. Development and Psychopathology, 5, 31-49.

Anderson, C. A., Hinshaw, S. P., & Simmel, C. (1994). Mother-child interactions in ADHD and comparison boys: Relationships to overt and covert externalizing behaviors. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 22, 247-265.

Hinshaw, S. P., Simmel, C., & Heller, T. L. (1995). Multimethod assessment of covert antisocial behavior in children with ADHD: Laboratory observations, adult ratings, and child self-report. Psychological Assessment, 7,209-219.

Carte, E. T., Nigg, J. T., & Hinshaw, S. P. (1996). Neuropsychological functioning, motor speed, and language processing in boys with and without ADHD. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 24, 481-498.

Hinshaw, S. P., March, J. S., Abikoff, H., Arnold, L. E., Cantwell, D. P., Connors, C. K., Elliott, G. R., Halperin, J., Greenhill, L. L., Hechtman, L. T., Hoza, B., Jensen, P. S., Newcorn, J. H., McBurnett, K., Pelham, W. E., Richters, J. E., Severe, J. B., Schiller, E., Swanson, J. M., Vereen, D., & Wells, K. C. (1997). Comprehensive assessment of childhood attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in the context of a multisite, multimodal clinical trial. Journal of Attention Disorders, 1, 217-234.

Hinshaw, S. P., Zupan, B. A., Simmel, C., Nigg, J. T., & Melnick, S. M. (1997). Peer status in boys with and without attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: Predictions from overt and covert antisocial behavior, social isolation, and authoritative parenting beliefs. Child Development, 64, 880-896.

Hinshaw, S. P., & Park, T. (1999). Research issues and problems: Toward a more definitive science of disruptive behavior disorders. In H. C. Quay & A. E. Hogan (Eds.), Handbook of disruptive behavior disorders. New York: Plenum Press.

STEVE HINSHAW Research Biography, November 1999