Signs of adult ADHD in university students and related factors

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this research is to determine the prevalence of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (AADHD) in university students yet continuing during the adulthood, which causes social, individual and mental problems in adults and to contribute to the studies conducted and to examine the relation of ADHD with some factors such as age, gender and class. Methods: One thousand two hundred and forty-seven students from Cumhuriyet University participated in this study. Adult Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Self Report Scale (ASRS) Turkish Form as well as socio-demographic information form were filled by all the participants. Results: In total 1247 persons from 11 different departments, and between 18 and 35 years old, mean age 21.88±1.92, and 57.7% women while 42.3% men participated in this study. Mean ASRS scores in the participants were detected to be 27.74 ±8.96. Upon considering ASRS score over two standard deviations AADHD sign prevalence was detected to be 3.1% (39/1208) while ASRS score over one and half standard deviations, it was detected to be 6.6% (82/1165). AADHD sign prevalence was statistically determined to be lower in those persons presenting with psychiatric disease history compared to those other groups. Conclusion: This study revealed that AADHD signs could be frequently detected in university students and that it could be associated with some other factors.