Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Australian Adults: Prevalence, Persistence, Conduct Problems and Disadvantage

Jane L Ebejer,Sarah E Medland,Cedric Gondro,Michael Lynskey,Julius Van Der Werf,Nicholas G Martin,Anjali K Henders,David L Duffy,Andreas Reif

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0047404

Jane L Ebejer, Sarah E Medland + Show 7 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0047404

Copy DOI

Abstract

BackgroundThe Prevalence and persistence of ADHD have not been described in young Australian adults and few studies have examined how conduct problems (CP) are associated with ADHD for this age group. We estimate lifetime and adult prevalence and persistence rates for three categories of ADHD for 3795 Australian adults, and indicate how career, health and childhood risk factors differ for people with ADHD symptoms and ADHD symptoms plus CP.MethodologyTrained interviewers collected participant experience of ADHD, CP, education, employment, childhood experience, relationship and health variables. Three diagnostic definitions of ADHD used were (i) full DSM-IV criteria; (ii) excluding the age 7 onset criterion (no age criterion); (iii) participant experienced difficulties due to ADHD symptoms (problem symptoms).ResultsPrevalence rates in adulthood were 1.1%, 2.3% and 2.7% for each categorization respectively. Persistence of ADHD from childhood averaged across gender was 55.3% for full criteria, 50.3% with no age criterion and 40.2% for problem symptoms. ADHD symptoms were associated with parental conflict, poor health, being sexually assaulted during childhood, lower education, income loss and higher unemployment. The lifetime prevalence of conduct problems for adults with ADHD was 57.8% and 6.9% for adults without ADHD. The greatest disadvantage was experienced by participants with ADHD plus CP.ConclusionThe persistence of ADHD into adulthood was greatest for participants meeting full diagnostic criteria and inattention was associated with the greatest loss of income and disadvantage. The disadvantage associated with conduct problems differed in severity and was relevant for a high proportion of adults with ADHD. Women but not men with ADHD reported more childhood adversity, possibly indicating varied etiology and treatment needs. The impact and treatment needs of adults with ADHD and CP and the report of sexual assault during childhood by women and men with ADHD also deserve further study.

Highlights

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms were associated with parental conflict, poor health, being sexually assaulted during childhood, lower education, income loss and higher unemployment
The greatest disadvantage was experienced by participants with ADHD plus conduct problems (CP)
The disadvantage associated with conduct problems differed in severity and was relevant for a high proportion of adults with ADHD

Summary

Introduction

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) describes a range of behaviours characterized by forgetfulness, carelessness, inattention, disorganization, distractedness, fidgetiness and impulsivity possibly associated with inhibitory deficits [1,2]. Children affected by symptoms have increased difficulties with reading [13], motor performance [14], emotional regulation and social interaction [15]. They are at increased risk for substance use, conduct problems, mood disorders and anxiety [16,17]. The Prevalence and persistence of ADHD have not been described in young Australian adults and few studies have examined how conduct problems (CP) are associated with ADHD for this age group. We estimate lifetime and adult prevalence and persistence rates for three categories of ADHD for 3795 Australian adults, and indicate how career, health and childhood risk factors differ for people with ADHD symptoms and ADHD symptoms plus CP

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion