Explaining the sex difference in dyslexia. (8th February 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Arnett, Anne B.; Pennington, Bruce F.; Peterson, Robin L.; Willcutt, Erik G.; DeFries, John C.; Olson, Richard K.
• Is Part Of: Journal of child psychology and psychiatry and allied disciplines. Volume 58:Number 6(2017)
• Page Start: 719
• Page End: 727
• Publication Date: 2017-02-08
• Subjects: Reading -- dyslexia -- sex difference -- processing speed -- inhibition -- verbal reasoning; Child psychology -- Periodicals; Child psychiatry -- Periodicals; 155.4
• DOI: 10.1111/jcpp.12691
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0021-9630

Abstract

Abstract : Background: Males are diagnosed with dyslexia more frequently than females, even in epidemiological samples. This may be explained by greater variance in males' reading performance. Methods: We expand on previous research by rigorously testing the variance difference theory, and testing for mediation of the sex difference by cognitive correlates. We developed an analytic framework that can be applied to group differences in any psychiatric disorder. Results: Males' overrepresentation in the low performance tail of the reading distribution was accounted for by mean and variance differences across sex. There was no sex difference at the high performance tail. Processing speed (PS) and inhibitory control partially mediated the sex difference. Verbal reasoning emerged as a strength in males. Conclusions: Our results complement a previous finding that PS partially mediates the sex difference in symptoms of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and helps explain the sex difference in both dyslexia and ADHD and their comorbidity.