Prevalence of Childhood Conduct and Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders in Adult Maximum-Security Inmates

Abstract

The prevalence of childhood conduct disorder (CD) and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) was studied in a sample of 100 adult maximum-security inmates. Inmate criminal and developmental history was obtained using interviews and records, and the Wender Utah Rating Scale (WURS) was administered to assess childhood ADHD. It was found that 63% of the sample met DSM-IV criteria for childhood CD, whereas 41% were either treated or assessed for childhood ADHD. Significant comorbidity was found between childhood CD and ADHD, but CD was the only significant predictor of adult criminality. CD and non-CD inmates differed significantly in juvenile and adult criminal behavior, age of first arrest, substance abuse, and violence. The WURS indicated significant validity in identifying childhood ADHD and CD as well as substance abuse and criminality. These findings are discussed in tenrs of methodological difficulties and the adult consequences of childhood disruptive behavior disorders.