Adult Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder Symptoms and Internet Addiction in College Students: Prevalence and Differential Associations

The Comorbid Psychiatric Symptoms of Internet Addiction: Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Depression, Social Phobia, and Hostility

Previous studies suggest that exposure to inflammation in infancy may increase the risk for attention-deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). We studied the ADHD manifestations among 124 familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) patients and examined the relationship between FMF patient characteristics and ADHD. Clinical, demographic, and genetic data were abstracted from patients' medical records and supplemented by information obtained during clinic visits. ADHD manifestations were assessed using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.) questionnaire. ADHD was diagnosed in 42 (32.8%) FMF patients, a rate significantly higher than in unselected populations (∼8%). A majority (n = 27, 64.3%) had combined inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive manifestations. Eight (19%) had predominantly hyperactive-impulsive, and seven (16.6%) had predominantly inattentive symptoms. FMF patients with severe manifestations reported more ADHD symptoms. FMF patients with ADHD symptoms were less adherent to their treatment regimen, with only 61.9% of the patients with ADHD symptoms adhering to colchicine therapy compared to 92.7% of the patients without ADHD symptoms. The high prevalence of ADHD characteristics in children with FMF may support the neuroimmune hypothesis that chronic inflammation increases the risk for ADHD. Children with FMF should be screened for ADHD as its presence may adversely affect adherence to treatment.

IntroductionThe prevalence of adult Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) has been investigated in the general population by multiple studies. However, few studies have focused on identifying its prevalence in the military population, particularly among military parents of children with ADHD.ObjectivesThe aim of our study was to screen for adult ADHD among military parents of ADHD children followed-up at the child and adolescent psychiatry department in the Military Hospital of Instruction of Tunis, Tunisia.MethodsThis prospective study was carried among military parents (one or both parents belonging to the national army) of ADHD children. Children were diagnosed with ADHD based on the 5th Diagnostic and Statistical Manual ADHD criteria and the Conners Comprehensive Behavior Rating Scale. Whereas adult ADHD was screened for using the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale-V1.1.ResultsFifteen children and twenty-nine parents were included in the study: sixteen of the parents were military members and thirteen were civilian spouses. Eight (50%) of the sixteen military parents, and four (30,7%) of the civilian spouses were screened positive for ADHD. Whereas 73% of these children had at least one parent screened positive for ADHD, and 53% had at least one military parent screened positive for ADHD. These results suggest a high prevalence of adult ADHD among this population.ConclusionsADHD occurs in childhood and may persist into adulthood. The findings of this study indicate that ADHD symptoms are not limited to the youth and are common in military population. Implications on screening, management, preventive measures and research should be discussed.

Children with attention-deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are more likely to experience peer problems compared to their non-ADHD peers, though ADHD-specific symptoms only partially explain this association. This study examined whether sleep difficulties and motor coordination problems are additional predictors of peer problems in an ADHD population. An ADHD sample of 72 participants aged 6-14years (M=9.86years, SD=1.79years) was evaluated for an association of peer problems with measures of motor coordination, sleep difficulties as well as ADHD and comorbidity symptoms. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis (HMRA) was used to test the current study aims. Motor coordination, but not sleep difficulties, predicted additional variance in peer problems after controlling for inattention, hyperactivity/impulsivity, internalizing problems, oppositionality, and conduct problems. Poor motor coordination predicts peer problems beyond ADHD symptoms. Clinicians seeking to improve peer functioning in children with ADHD should also consider motor coordination difficulties in addition to existing treatment strategies. Statement of contribution What is already known Children with attention-deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) experience greater peer problems (i.e., making friends, being victimized, participating in play) than their typically developing peers. Previous studies have attributed this association between ADHD and peer problems to the symptoms of ADHD (i.e., inattention and/or hyperactivity) disrupting the typical trajectory of social development. However, quantitative studies have identified that symptoms of ADHD predict only portion of the variance in a child's peer problems - highlighting that there may be other unique factors that contribute to the higher incidence of peer problems typically observed in this population. What this study adds This study tested whether additional theoretically relevant factors could predict levels of peer problems in children with ADHD beyond the primary symptoms of the disorder. Internalizing symptomatology, conduct problems, oppositionality, motor coordination, and sleep difficulties were added to a regression model already including inattention and hyperactivity symptoms. These factors explained 51% of the variability in peer problems. In this sample of 72 ADHD children, the results of the final model highlighted that only motor coordination and conduct problems remained significant predictors of peer problems - highlighting two potentially important target areas for screening and intervention.

A high proportion of children with Attention problems (ADHD) experience motor competence problems. The present study sought to compare the motor competence between a group of ADHD students and a normative sample before and after controlling for motor coordination problems, and check if there are differences between the group with ADHD and the group with DT, depending on the presence or not of the DCD concurrent with the ADHD.
 A total of 22 children with ADHD combined type (ADHD-CT; 12–13 years, SD 0.7, 16 males, 6 females) and 23 age-matched typically developing children with no movement difficulties (12-13 years, SD 0.7 16 males, 7 females) participated in this study. Motor coordination was measured using the Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2nd Edition (MABC-2). ADHD symptoms were assessed by the school’s Department of Psychology.The ADHD diagnosis is based on diagnostic criteria established by the Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, fifth edition (DSM-5), and the application of the following behavioral scales and evaluation of executive functions have been followed: Child Behavior Checklist for ages; Behavior Ratting Inventory of Executive Functions (BRIEF); Scales for the Evaluation of ADHD (EDAH). Based on the MABC-2 score (percentile score ≤ 5th), ADHD children were classified into two groups: co-occurring DCD/ADHD and ADHD group. Results showed that children with ADHD and typically developing (TD) children showed big individual differences on all motor skill areas and on overall percentile scores. Thirteen children with ADHD were delayed, and three were at risk for motor delays. Only four TD children were at risk for motor delays. DCD/ADHD group scored significantly lower than the TD group across all motor skill areas, while ADHD group scored lower than the TD group only on manual dexterity.

Metacognition and executive processes in Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Prenatal Omega-6:Omega-3 Ratio and Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder Symptoms

We studied the associations between polygenic risk score (PRS) for attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and (1) ADHD symptoms in 5-year-old children, (2) sleep duration throughout childhood, and (3) the interaction between PRS for ADHD and short sleep duration relative to ADHD symptoms at 5 years. This study is based on the population-based CHILD-SLEEP birth cohort (N = 1420 children). PRS was used to quantitate the genetic risk for ADHD. Parent-reported ADHD symptoms at 5 years were obtained from 714 children, using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) and the Five-to-Fifteen (FTF). Our primary outcomes were SDQ-hyperactivity and FTF-ADHD total scores. Parent-reported sleep duration was measured at 3, 8, 18, 24 months, and 5 years in the whole sample and actigraphy-based sleep duration at 2 and 24 months in a subsample. PRS for ADHD associated with SDQ-hyperactivity (β = 0.214, p = .012) and FTF-ADHD total (β = 0.639, p = .011), and FTF-inattention and hyperactivity subscale scores (β = 0.315, p = .017 and β = 0.324, p = .030), but not with sleep duration at any time point. Significant interactions were found between high PRS for ADHD and parent-reported short sleep throughout childhood in FTF-ADHD total score (F = 4.28, p = .039) and FTF-inattention subscale (F = 4.66, p = .031). We did not find any significant interaction between high PRS for ADHD and actigraphy-based short sleep. Parent-reported short sleep moderates the association between genetic risk of ADHD and ADHD symptoms in early childhood in the general population, so that children with short sleep, in combination with high genetic risk for ADHD, could be at highest risk for ADHD symptoms.

Recent studies have substantially enhanced our understanding of attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in entrepreneurship—articulating the theoretical relevance of ADHD-type traits in entrepreneurship and confirming the positive linkages between ADHD symptoms/diagnosis and entrepreneurial intentions and behavior. However, how and why some people with ADHD symptoms run successful ventures, while other entrepreneurs fail to perform well, is still not well established. Our study builds on a Gestalt perspective that integrates person–environment fit and broaden-and-build theorizing, and proposes that strong positive emotions enable entrepreneurs with ADHD symptoms (at the subclinical level) to mitigate/reinforce the effect of ADHD’s trait-specific weaknesses/strengths to achieve entrepreneurial performance. Relying on fuzzy-set methodology, our findings indicate that for entrepreneurs with ADHD symptoms, entrepreneurial performance occurs when they simultaneously experience passion for founding and developing. This passion configuration is unique to successful ADHD-type entrepreneurs. As such, this study offers novel theoretical and empirical insights as well as implications for practitioners.Plain English Summary Do people with ADHD perform well in entrepreneurship? Our research shows how ADHD symptoms relate to entrepreneurial performance finding that passion is important. Entrepreneurs who are highly and thereby ambidextrously passionate for growing their businesses and for founding activities while lacking intense positive feelings for coming up with new ideas can benefit from ADHD. These results are important for people with ADHD and their loved ones.

Objective:To investigate attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms and impulsivity among individuals diagnosed with opioid use disorder (OUD) who also exhibit symptoms of problematic internet use (PIU).Methods:The study involved the participation of 360 patients with OUD enrolled at an alcohol and drug addiction treatment center (ADATC) from October to December 2022. Various assessment tools were administered, including Young’s Internet Addiction Scale (YIAS), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS), and Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS). PIU was identified by YIAS scores equal to or exceeding 50.Results:Most participants diagnosed with OUD had comorbid PIU, with high levels of depression, anxiety, and ADHD symptoms. Both BDI and BAI scores were significantly increased in the PIU group compared to the non-PIU group (p < 0.001). Significant differences were observed in BIS Motor Impulsivity, Attentional Impulsivity, and total scores, indicating higher impulsivity in the PIU group (all p < 0.001). Additionally, higher ASRS scores were found in the PIU group (p < 0.001).Conclusion:These findings highlight the importance of addressing PIU and comorbidities in OUD treatment. Interventions targeting ADHD symptoms and emotional well-being may benefit PIU management.

Objectives: Attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and tobacco smoking start in near same developmental life stages and are highly comorbid disorders. Little research has focused on this comorbidity and its correlates, especially in the Arab world. This study aimed to find the relation between tobacco smoking and ADHD symptoms and to understand how ADHD profile can affect its persistence. Materials and Methods: We recruited our sample from fifth year medical students attending their psychiatry undergraduate training program at the Institute of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University Hospitals, Cairo, Egypt. All attending students for 3 rounds were approached and asked to participate. All candidates were above 20 years old and from both sexes. For the purpose of this study, tobacco smoking included cigarettes, water pipe (sheesha), Cigar, and/or pipe smoking. All the participants were assessed using 1, General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28); 2, The Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS); 3, Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND); 4, Smoking Consequences Questionnaire-Adult (SCQ-A). Results: An overall 12.7% had symptoms of ADHD. Participants who were tobacco smokers and had symptoms of ADHD showed nicotine dependence scores higher than the non-ADHD symptom smokers. There was significant correlation between ASRS inattention and hyperactive-impulsive subscale scores and FTND scores (P=0.003 and 0.04), respectively. Moreover, there were statistically significant correlations between ASRS scores and smoking outcome variables with P-value of ≤0.00. Conclusion: ADHD symptoms were correlated to adult tobacco smoking outcome variables, providing further evidence of a likely link between ADHD symptoms and tobacco smoking risk.

The present research is a systematic literature based study with online consultation. It intended to design a site specific DMT clinical model designed for addressing the needs of school age children with Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) symptoms treated by the ADHD Team at the Clinica Clorito Picado in San Jose, Costa Rica. ADHD is described as a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactive and impulsive behavior that appears as the most commonly diagnosed behavioral disorder of childhood. In Costa Rica, the "ADHD Team" of the Clinica Clorito Picado, a major public clinic for outpatient medical services, provides assessment and bio-psycho-social intervention for children and adolescents with ADHD and their families. However, the treatment found in this Clinic is based on the intake of medication for the children, and emotional support and education for parents. There is not a direct psycho-social treatment for the children. The ADHD Team has identified a need to deploy short-term therapeutic interventions to help these children develop the skills needed to better adapt to their environment. Since Dance/Movement Therapy (DMT) incorporates interpersonal interactions, verbal and non-verbal communication, and the integration and expression of emotional conflicts in motion, it serves as a possible and effective approach to ADHD symptoms interventions. By being able to adapt techniques and interventions for specific cultural and clinical needs of this population; DMT can provide individuals the opportunity to perform and learn from the therapeutic process. The research question was stated as: which specific goals and interventions should be taken into account when developing a DMT treatment model for children with ADHD symptoms that are treated in this Clinic? The data collection was compiled by a systematic literature review and online consultation with the ADHD Team. Data was then analyzed using Garrard's Matrix Method, which was implemented to organize and synthesize the information in order to deliver the outcome of the study. A ten-week model is designed with the overall goal contributing to improvement in insight, self control, verbal and non-verbal communication, interpersonal interactions and parenting skills of school age children with ADHD symptoms and their families. Specific goals and interventions are described for each session, providing the reader with a rational for their used according with DMT theory.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate adult attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in smokers, Maras powder users and non-users of tobacco products by using the Adult Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder Self-report Scale (ASRS). Methods: The study was performed on 446 males presenting to family health centers in Kahramanmara, Turkey. Of 446 participants, 104 were Maras powder users, 133 were smokers and 209 were volunteers not using any tobacco products. Data were collected with a questionnaire composed of questions about socio-demographic features and features of smoking and Maras powder use, and the Fagerström Nicotine Dependence Scale and the ASRS. P < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: The mean age of the participants was 33.94 ± 10.68 years (min = 18, max = 64). There was no significant difference in age between the study groups (P = 0.089). Thirty-one participants (7.0%) received scores higher than the cut-off value (≥ 14 points) for the short form of the ASRS. Twenty-one participants (4.7%) achieverd scores higher than the cut-off value (≥ 44 points) for the ASRS. The smokers received the highest scores of 8.42 ± 3.79 for all the subscales of the short version of the ASRS, 26.87 ± 10.46 for the ASRS, 12.57 ± 6.47 for the attention deficit subscale and 14.30 ± 5.35 for the hyperactivity and impulsivity subscale. Conclusion: Higher rates of the smokers and the Maras powder users had symptoms of ADHD. Considering nicotine may decrease symptoms of ADHD, it can be assumed that the rates of the smokers and Maras powder users with ADHD are higher.

ObjectiveThis study is conducted to investigate the effect of symptoms of Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) on symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) among 224 conscripts during 5 weeks of military basic training.MethodsTotal number of subject is 224 conscripts. We evaluated past and present symptoms of ADHD with Korean-Wender Utah rating scale (K-WURS) and Korean adult attention -deficit/hyperactivity disorder scale (K-AADHDS) and stress and symptoms of PTSD with Brief Encounter Psychosocial Instrument-K (BEPSI-K), the Korean version of the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R-K) on 1 week and 5 weeks later of basic military training. Pearson correlation analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed to evaluate risk factors of PTSD using SPSS program and Path analysis also was used to find relationship between past and present ADHD and PTSD simultaneously using AMOS program.ResultsPresent symptoms of ADHD (OR=1.145, CI=1.054-1.245, p=0.001) and Past symptoms of ADHD (OR=1.049, CI=1.005-1.095, p=0.028) were significant risk factor of PTSD symptoms on 1st week of basic military training. The symptoms of PTSD on fist week was also significant risk factor of PTSD after 5weeks of basic military training (OR=1.073, CI=1.020-1.129, p=0.006). Using path analysis, we could found confirm these relations between past and present ADHD symptoms and symptoms of PTSD.ConclusionThe result suggests that past and present symptoms of ADHD are the risk factor of symptoms of PTSD on first week. And the symptoms of PTSD on first week are also risk factor of PTSD symptoms on last weeks in Korean conscripts. The symptoms of ADHD might make an important role in vulnerability of the symptoms of PTSD in Korean conscripts.

Adult attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) manifests itself through a variety of symptoms, some of which affect not only occupational and recreational activities but also intimate relationships. Previous findings have focused on the effects of adult ADHD on intimacy and relationships from the ADHD diagnosed person’s point of view. However, spouses of people with ADHD are a neglected population with regard to the effects that ADHD has on their romantic relationships. Our aim was to assess the effects of being married to a spouse with ADHD on marital relationships, and the moderating role of intimacy. We compared healthy spouses of people with ADHD to healthy spouses of healthy adults (M = 38.23, SD = 4.78) in their degree of self-reported intimacy and marital satisfaction. Our findings indicate that spouses of individuals with ADHD report significantly lower intimacy and lower marital satisfaction compared to spouses of individuals without ADHD. Moreover, our findings indicate that spousal reports about their degree of intimacy mediate the relationships between their spouses’ ADHD and their marital satisfaction. Results are discussed in relation to the broad implications that adult ADHD has for romantic intimacy. Our research addresses healthy partners married to a spouse with ADHD, suggesting that living with a partner with ADHD behaviors is challenging. ADHD symptoms negatively affect various qualities in the person experiencing them, but of equal importance is the damage occurring to his or her spouse. Implications for future research and recommendations for clinical work are suggested.