Levels Of Attention-deficit/hyperactivity Disorder Symptoms Research Articles

Are Family Factors Differentially Associated with Externalizing Symptoms Among Youth with Perinatally Acquired HIV?

Youth with perinatally-acquired HIV (PHIV) face unique psychosocial stressors. They are at risk for externalizing problems, including symptoms of oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorder (CD), and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), as well as risk-taking behaviors, such as substance use (SU). Although family factors have been differentially associated with externalizing and SU behaviors based on youth sex in prior research, there is a dearth of literature considering these processes among youth with PHIV. Participants included 314 youth with PHIV (M = 12.88years, SD = 3.08years; 50.80% male; 85.30% Black or Latinx). Boys exhibited higher levels of ADHD symptoms than girls. Among boys, lower levels of consistency in discipline were associated with higher CD symptoms. Lower levels of family cohesion were associated with higher levels of SU among girls, and higher levels of CD symptoms across youth sex. Findings support the need for family-focused behavioral interventions among youth with PHIV.

Triarchic traits as risk versus protective factors for ADHD symptomatology: A prospective longitudinal investigation.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms are associated with myriad adverse outcomes, including interpersonal difficulties, but factors that moderate the developmental course and functional impact of ADHD over time are not well understood. The present study evaluated developmental contributions of the triarchic neurobehavioral traits (boldness, meanness, and disinhibition) to ADHD symptomatology and its subdimensions from adolescence to young adulthood. Participants were twins and triplets assessed at ages 14, 17, and 19 (initial N = 1,185, 51.2% female). Path analyses using negative binomial regression revealed that boldness at age 14 was associated with more ADHD symptoms cross-sectionally (especially hyperactivity/impulsivity), but fewer symptoms (especially inattention) at age 19 in the prospective analysis. Notably, inclusion of interpersonal problems at ages 14 and 17 as covariates reduced the latter effect to nonsignificant. Disinhibition concurrently and prospectively predicted higher levels of ADHD symptoms, including both subdimensions, and the prospective effects were partially mediated by greater social impairment at age 17. Meanness prospectively (but not concurrently) predicted higher levels of hyperactivity/impulsivity symptoms. Sex moderated certain associations of meanness and disinhibition with ADHD symptoms. These findings highlight how fundamental neurobehavioral traits shape both psychopathology and adaptive outcomes in the developmental course of ADHD.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms and subsequent cardiometabolic disorders in adults: investigating underlying mechanisms using a longitudinal twin study

BackgroundEmerging research suggests that attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) increases the risk for cardiovascular (CVDs) and metabolic disorders (i.e., cardiometabolic disorders) in adulthood. Yet, available studies are scarce and have mainly been focused on individuals receiving clinical ADHD diagnoses. We aimed to investigate the prospective associations of ADHD symptoms in young and mid-adulthood with subsequent cardiometabolic disorders and the underlying mechanisms.MethodsWe studied 10,394 twins from the Swedish Twin Registry (STR), born between 1958 and 1985 without previous medical history of cardiometabolic disorders. They provided self-assessment of ADHD symptoms (score range 0–36) via a validated, DSM-IV-based scale in a web-based questionnaire/telephone interview within the Study of Twin Adults: Genes and Environment (STAGE), in 2005–2006 (aged 19–47 years), and were followed until the end of 2018 (33–59 years) to identify incident clinical diagnoses/medication prescriptions for cardiometabolic disorders acquired from Swedish national registers. We used Cox regression models to investigate the associations between ADHD symptoms score and cardiometabolic outcomes, with and without adjustment for relevant covariates, and a co-twin control design to study familial confounding.ResultsA one-unit increase in the level of ADHD symptoms was associated with a 2% increase in the rate of CVDs (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.02, 95% confidence interval 1.01–1.04) and a 3% increase in the rate of metabolic disorders (HR = 1.03, 1.02–1.05), after adjusting for birth year and sex. The associations were no longer significant after adjusting for educational attainment, lifestyle factors, and comorbid psychiatric disorders. The associations remained significant after adjusting for familial factors shared by dizygotic twin pairs but became nonsignificant after adjusting for factors shared by monozygotic twin pairs. However, the strength of the associations attenuated significantly in monozygotic twins compared to dizygotic twins for CVDs only, suggesting genetic confounding.ConclusionsADHD symptom score is associated with a higher risk for cardiometabolic disorders, which may be explained by lower educational attainment, adverse lifestyle factors, and psychiatric comorbidities. Moreover, the associations appear to be partly confounded by shared genetic factors, especially for CVDs. Further research is needed to investigate the identified associations at the level of individual cardiometabolic disorders and to follow-up participants until a more advanced older age.

34 Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Emotion Regulation, and Executive Functioning Associated with Educational and Occupational Outcomes in Adults

Objective:While attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms, including inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, are normally distributed within the population, features of ADHD have been associated with poor functional outcomes across various domains of life, such as academic achievement and occupational status. However, some individuals with even strong ADHD features show normal or above-average success within these functional domains. Executive dysfunction and emotion regulation abilities are associated with educational attainment and occupational status and may therefore explain some of the heterogeneity in functional outcomes in individuals with mild, moderate, and high levels of ADHD symptoms. In this study, we investigated whether emotion regulation strategy use (i.e., emotion suppression or cognitive reappraisal) and executive function abilities moderate the relationship between ADHD symptoms and occupational status and education attainment in adults.Participants and Methods:Data were collected from 109 adults aged 18 - 85 (M = 38.08, SD = 15.54; 70.6% female) from the Nathan Kline Institute Rockland Sample. All participants completed measures of ADHD symptoms (Conners Adult ADHD Rating Scale), emotion regulation strategy use (Emotion Regulation Questionnaire), and executive functioning (composite scores of inhibition, shifting and fluency from the standardized Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System). In this study, executive function abilities and emotion regulation strategy use were tested as potential moderators of the relationship between ADHD symptoms and functional outcomes using hierarchical regression models.Results:Several two- and three-way interactions predicting occupational status and educational attainment were observed. Education attainment was predicted by hyperactivity and reappraisal (ß = -0.26, p = .006); inattention, shifting, and reappraisal (ß = -0.52, p = .029); inattention, shifting, and suppression (ß = -0.40, p = .049); inattention, fluency, and reappraisal (ß = 0.24, p = .038); hyperactivity, fluency, and reappraisal (ß = 0.27, p = .034); and impulsivity, fluency, and reappraisal (ß = 0.44, p = .004). Occupational status was predicted by inattention and reappraisal, (ß = -0.27, p = .032), hyperactivity and reappraisal (ß = -0.26, p = .004); and impulsivity, fluency, and reappraisal (ß = 0.35, p = .031). Fluency was positively associated with educational attainment when controlling for inattention and impulsivity.Conclusions:Consistent with the hypothesis, the association between ADHD symptoms and both occupational status and educational attainment were moderated by the interaction between emotion regulation strategy use, executive function abilities domains. The observed interactions suggest that both occupational status and educational attainment may depend heavily on one’s intrinsic abilities and traits. Contrary to previous literature, we found no evidence that ADHD symptoms, emotional regulation strategies were independently associated with either educational attainment or occupational status, but this should be validated in a sample with greater representation of adults with clinically significant ADHD.

Evaluation of a pilot physical activity intervention for children with ADHD symptoms and reading difficulties

AbstractPhysical activity (PA) benefits children's cognition, in particular executive functions (EF). Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Reading Difficulties (RD) and co‐occurring ADHD/RD have low levels of PA and difficulties with EF. This study evaluated a PA programme to determine recruitment, attrition, feasibility (e.g. in‐school or after‐school hours), intensity of PA during the programme and effect sizes. Outcomes evaluated were EF, academic attainment and social and emotional behaviour. Sixty‐nine children (35 males) aged 7–13 years participated in a delayed control design. The sample comprised 15 children with RD, 15 with high levels of ADHD symptoms, 15 with co‐occurring RD and ADHD symptoms and 24 typically developing children. Thirty‐one of the participants took part in a 12 week PA intervention designed to enhance cognition and 38 acted as a control group. The control group subsequently received the intervention and data was combined for analysis. The study was successful in recruiting participants for the intervention; more success was observed for in‐school than after‐school hours. Participants spent 46% (SD = 14) of the intervention in Moderate‐to‐Vigorous intensity PA (MVPA). A significant effect of time‐point (pre‐ vs. post‐intervention) was found for inhibition and visuospatial working memory (η2 = 0.11 and 0.18 respectively). There was no interaction with symptomatology though; all groups had higher scores on EF tasks after the intervention. It is possible to recruit and retain participants with ADHD symptoms and reading difficulties to a school‐based PA programme and adherence to measurements was good. Taking part in the programme may improve inhibition and visuospatial working memory and reduce symptomatology suggesting this is a potential source of remediation which should be explored.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms and lifetime use of psychoactive substances among French university students: A cross-sectional study

In a cross sectional study of 13,837 university students, we aimed to explore the association between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms and lifetime psychoactive substance use (LPSU) on a wide range of illicit substances. Logistic and Hurdel multivariable regressions were used. ADHD symptoms were significantly associated with the lifetime use of ketamine, magic mushrooms, poppers, and nine other psychoactive substances. There was an association between ADHD symptoms and both LPSU and truncated count of lifetime psychoactive substance use. High levels of ADHD symptoms are associated with the use of a large variety and multiple LPSU.

Understanding Factors that Moderate the Relationship Between Student ADHD Behaviors and Teacher Stress.

Teaching is a stressful profession, and teacher stress has been shown to be associated with job dissatisfaction, attrition from the field, and negative outcomes for teachers and their students. A major contributor to teacher stress is disruptive student behavior. Given that students with or at-risk for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) demonstrate high rates of disruptive behaviors and are present in nearly every classroom, studying the connection between student ADHD symptoms and teacher stress may provide useful insights for better supporting teachers and their students. Aims of this study were to (1) assess the replicability of a previous finding that teachers rate their students with elevated ADHD symptoms to be more stressful to teach than students without these symptoms and (2) explore the extent to which key factors (i.e., overall work-related stress and student-teacher relationship quality) moderate the relationship between student ADHD symptoms and related teacher stress. Participants were 97K-2nd grade teachers who completed an online survey about themselves and two male students in their classroom. Results showed that teachers report students with elevated levels of ADHD symptoms and impairment to be more stressful to work with than students who do not exhibit these symptoms (d = 1.52). Additionally, overall work-related stress and conflict in the student-teacher relationship exacerbated the relationship between studentADHD symptom severity and related teacher stress, whereas closeness in the student-teacher relationship mitigated this association. Implications of these findings and directions for future research are discussed.

Adult ADHD and internet addiction among undergraduate medical college students

Attention-deficit /hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) was originally defined in children but is now recognized to persist into adulthood or is independently diagnosed in some adults. It is associated with impairment across multiple domains, including home, college and, work and can lead to excessive internet usage, social withdrawal, substance abuse disorders, fatigue, job loss, mood changes, and distress. To look for adult ADHD and Internet Addiction among undergraduate medical college students. Designed as a cross-sectional study conducted on undergraduate medical college students. This is a cross-sectional study involving 501 undergraduate medical college students between 18-25 years of age. The Adult ADHD Self-report scale (ASRSv1.2) was applied to screen for adult ADHD. Young’s internet addiction scale (IAT) was applied to look for internet addiction. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 25. The mean age of the participants was 20.3 years. Most of the participants (54.9%) who screened positive for adult ADHD belonged to the younger age group (20-21 years). Mild internet addiction was seen in 34.5% of the participants, moderate in 6.4%, severe in 0.2 % and 58.9% had no internet addiction. Students who had screened positive for adult ADHD reported more addictive tendencies. Higher levels of ADHD symptoms were associated with increased Internet addiction among undergraduate medical college students. This study shows that adult ADHD can be one of the reasons leading to internet addiction among students. An understanding of the magnitude of the problem is essential for early screening and timely psychiatric intervention for the better functional outcome for the students.

An examination of the effects of ADHD symptoms and sex on the relation between cannabis protective behavioral strategies and cannabis consequences

The risk for cannabis-related problems is elevated among young adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms. It is unknown whether the use of cannabis protective behavioral strategies (PBS) mitigates this risk for college students with ADHD. Prior research finds that college students who use alcohol and report high levels of ADHD symptoms particularly benefit from employing alcohol PBS, and these relations are strongest for male students. Thus, this study examined the moderating effects of ADHD symptoms and sex assigned at birth on the relation between cannabis PBS use and cannabis-related problems among college students who use cannabis. Participants were 384 college students (66.9% female, 57.8% white non-Hispanic, Mage = 19.29) from 12 United States universities who reported past-month cannabis use. Participants completed measures of demographics, ADHD symptoms, past-month cannabis frequency and related problems, and cannabis PBS use via an online survey. There was a significant interaction of ADHD hyperactive/impulsive symptoms, PBS use, and sex on cannabis-related problems, controlling for cannabis use frequency. The strength of the negative association between PBS use and problems depended on level of ADHD symptoms for females, but not for males. However, there were no interactive effects for ADHD inattentive symptoms. These results supplement the literature base on relations between PBS use and ADHD symptoms in college students, extending support for their use to cannabis users. Importantly, promoting PBS use to female college students who are high in hyperactive/impulsive ADHD symptoms is recommended.

Sleep Disturbances in Adolescents with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.

Delayed sleep phase syndrome (DSPS) and insomnia disorders are prevalent in adolescents and are comorbid with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), but only limited information is available regarding the prevalence of DSPS and insomnia in adolescents with ADHD. Moreover, previous studies comparing objective sleep parameters averaged the findings across all participants of each group (ADHD, control) regardless of each individual's level of reported sleep disturbance. This might have resulted in inconsistency between information obtained by objective and subjective sleep measures in adolescents with ADHD. The objectives of the present study were 1) to compare the prevalence of risk for DSPS and insomnia in adolescents with ADHD and control adolescents in our samples; 2) to compare objectively measured sleep characteristics of adolescents with ADHD and controls while taking into consideration their levels of risk for DSPS or their level of insomnia; and 3) to compare the ADHD symptom levels of adolescents with moderate/high and low risk for DSPS or insomnia. Seventy-three adolescents (37 ADHD, 36 controls) aged 12-15years participated in a cross-sectional study. Actigraphy was used to characterize objective sleep parameters and parents' or adolescents' reports were used to characterize subjective sleep parameters. Of the participants in the ADHD and control groups, 33.33% and 27%, respectively, had moderate/high levels of risk for DSPS. Adolescents in the high-risk group for DSPS had an objectively measured delayed sleep schedule and more variable sleep duration, time in bed, and sleep efficiency compared to adolescents in the low-risk group for DSPS, regardless of their ADHD diagnosis. Adolescents with higher levels of insomnia spent more time in bed and had more variable sleep efficiency compared to adolescents with no insomnia, regardless of their diagnosis. The prevalence of moderate/high risk for DSPS was similarly high in adolescents with ADHD and controls. Participants' subjective reports of sleep disturbances were consistent with their objective sleep parameters when the type and level of subjectively defined sleep disturbance were considered. ADHD symptom levels were not different in adolescents with moderate/high or low risk for DSPS or insomnia.

Exploring the effect of ADHD traits on the moment-to-moment interplay between provocation and aggression: Evidence from dynamic structural equation modeling.

The relation between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms and aggression is well documented; however, the processes that account for higher levels of aggression associated with ADHD in the course of daily life are little understood. The current study used ecological momentary assessment to explore how ADHD traits relate to individual differences in perceiving provocation from others and the resultant aggressive behaviors; and the strengths of the links between provocation and aggression in the flow of daily life. A dynamic structural equation model was fit using data from a subpopulation of young adults involved in the longitudinal z-proso study (n = 259, median-age 20). Data on provocation and aggression was collected at four quasi-random time periods per day over a 14-day period. Individuals with higher ADHD trait levels reported higher instances of provocation and aggression, with ADHD traits significantly moderating aggression inertia such that those with higher levels of ADHD traits showed greater persistence of aggressive behavior over time. However, ADHD trait levels did not significantly moderate any of the observed cross-lagged effects. Our findings suggest that individuals with higher levels of ADHD traits are at greater risk of exposure to interpersonal interactions involving interpersonal provocation, show higher levels of aggressive behavior in daily life, and find it more difficult to reduce their aggression once triggered. These findings support the importance of targeting factors such as social skills and emotion regulation that may underpin the increased difficulties in interpersonal interactions often experienced by individuals with high levels of ADHD symptoms.

The impact of ADHD symptom severity on reinforcement and punishment learning among adults

ABSTRACT Introduction: Aberrations in feedback learning are hypothesised to contribute to the behavioural disruptions and impairment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, few studies have evaluated the relation of reward/punishment feedback and ADHD symptom severity on learning. The current study evaluates the differential effects of reward and punishment feedback on learning among adults with elevated ADHD. Methods: One hundred five participants self-reported their level of current ADHD symptoms and completed an innovative instrumental learning task. Results: Consistent with predictions, participants with low self-reported ADHD symptom severity benefitted equally from reward and punishment feedback during the learning task, whereas participants with high self-reported symptom severity performed better (indexed by accuracy on learning task) from reward than punishment feedback trials. Conclusions: Overall, adults with high self-reported symptom severity of ADHD learned more from reward-based feedback, which provides critical implications for motivational theories about ADHD, as well as for treatment protocols. Future work should examine the translatability of results within a treatment setting.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in cultural context: Do parents in Hong Kong and the United Kingdom adopt different thresholds when rating symptoms, and if so why?

ObjectivesAttention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) prevalence is similar across world regions. However, because informants' decision thresholds may vary between regions, these similarities may mask regional variations in actual ADHD behaviours. We tested this by comparing the relationship between informant's ratings and children's measured activity in United Kingdom (UK) and Hong Kong (HK) and then explored whether any national differences in endorsement thresholds discovered are linked to cultural variations in parenting factors.MethodsParents rated the 18 ADHD symptoms in 112 three‐to‐five‐year‐old children stratified for ADHD symptom levels (49 girls and 63 boys; 55 from the UK and 57 from HK) and completed some parenting questionnaires. Children's task‐related activity was measured using actometers.ResultsIn both groups, measured activity was positively correlated with hyperactivity/impulsivity (r = 0.44HK; r = 0.41UK). While HK children were less active than UK children (p < 0.01), HK parents rated their children as more hyperactive/impulsive and inattentive (ps < 0.05). The lower rating threshold indicated by this pattern in HK parents were explained by their higher child‐related stress levels.ConclusionsUK and HK parents operated different ADHD symptom endorsement thresholds. The link between these and child‐related stress may mark a more general role of cultural pressure for child conformity and school achievement in HK.

The Association of Self-Reported ADHD Symptoms and Sleep in Daily Life of a General Population Sample of School Children: An Inter- and Intraindividual Perspective.

Sleep and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) have repeatedly been found to be associated with each other. However, the ecological validity of daily life studies to examine the effect of sleep on ADHD symptoms is rarely made use of. In an ambulatory assessment study with measurement burst design, consisting of three bursts (each 6 months apart) of 18 days each, 70 German schoolchildren aged 10–12 years reported on their sleep quality each morning and on their subjective ADHD symptom levels as well as their sleepiness three times a day. It was hypothesized that nightly sleep quality is negatively associated with ADHD symptoms on the inter- as well as the intraindividual level. Thus, we expected children who sleep better to report higher attention and self-regulation. Additionally, sleepiness during the day was hypothesized to be positively associated with ADHD symptoms on both levels, meaning that when children are sleepier, they experience more ADHD symptoms. No association of sleep quality and ADHD symptoms between or within participants was found in multilevel analyses; also, no connection was found between ADHD symptoms and daytime sleepiness on the interindividual level. Unexpectedly, a negative association was found on the intraindividual level for ADHD symptoms and daytime sleepiness, indicating that in moments when children are sleepier during the day, they experience less ADHD symptoms. Explorative analyses showed differential links of nightly sleep quality and daytime sleepiness, with the core symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity, respectively. Therefore, future analyses should take the factor structure of ADHD symptoms into account.

A Novel Look at Peer Problems: Examining Predictors of Children’s Sociometric Ratings of Classmates With ADHD Symptoms

Research predominantly focuses on problematic behaviors in children with symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) to explain why they are disliked by their classroom peers. By contrast, the current study explores characteristics of peers that are associated with them disliking classmates with ADHD symptoms. To do so, we undertook a novel methodological approach using hierarchical linear modeling to examine the strength of the association between child characteristics, their sociometric ratings given to classmates, and the recipients’ ADHD symptom levels. Participants were 194 children (Grades K–4) in 12 classrooms. Using the sociometric method, children rated their liking versus disliking of each classmate. Children’s ADHD symptoms were reported by the teacher. Children’s self-reported stigma about ADHD, their own sociometric ratings received, and teacher ratings of children’s academic competence were collected. Results suggested that children who reported more stigma about ADHD, and who were more socially and academically competent, had a stronger negative association between the sociometric ratings they gave and the recipients’ ADHD symptoms (i.e., were more likely to dislike classmates with ADHD symptoms). These effects were strongest at the end of the academic year relative to the beginning of the year. Implications for interventions targeting the peer group are discussed.

Driving risks of young drivers with symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: association with the dopamine transporter gene VNTR polymorphism

Background Road traffic injuries are a leading cause of death for young adults, and young drivers with higher expression of symptoms of attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) could pose an even greater risk in traffic. Dopaminergic dysfunction has been found to occur in ADHD, with the dopamine transporter (DAT) gene VNTR polymorphism (DAT1 VNTR; rs28363170) being one of the most consistent genetic markers. Thus, we aimed at clarifying how the ADHD symptoms and the DAT1 VNTR relate to risk-taking behaviour in traffic, impulsivity and driving anger in young drivers. Method We used data of two traffic behaviour study samples (n = 741, mean age = 23.3 ± 7.2 years; n = 995, mean age = 22.9 ± 8.1 years) and the Estonian Children Personality Behaviour and Health Study (ECPBHS; traffic behaviour data n = 1,016, mean age = 25.2 ± 2.1 years). ADHD symptoms were assessed by self-report with the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS v1.1) and impulsivity with the Adaptive and Maladaptive Impulsivity Scale. Traffic behavioural measures were either self-reported (Driver Behaviour Questionnaire, Driving Anger Scale) or obtained from databases (registered accidents and violations). Results Drivers with more self-reported ADHD symptoms also reported more risk-taking in traffic and had more of recorded traffic accidents and violations. DAT1 9 R carriers had a higher probability of high traffic risk behaviour only if they also had ADHD symptoms. Conclusion Higher level of ADHD symptoms is a significant risk factor in traffic, and carrying of the DAT1 9 R allele appears to aggravate these risks.

Self-Medication of ADHD Symptoms: Does Caffeine Have a Role?

ObjectiveStimulants are the most effective treatment for Attention Deficit/ Hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). In addition, studies have shown that nicotine dependence in patients with ADHD is probably best explained by self-medication. The question is whether this is also true for caffeine use and caffeine dependence. The aim of our study was, therefore, to examine the relationship of ADHD symptoms, caffeine consumption, caffeine use disorder (CUD) and well-being. We hypothesized that those who have more ADHD symptoms and regularly consume caffeine have higher psychological well-being than those who have more ADHD symptoms, but do not consume caffeine.MethodsA general population sample (N = 2,259, 70.5% male, mean age 34.0) filled out the 10-item Caffeine Use Disorder Questionnaire (CUDQ), the Adult ADHD Self-report Scale (ASRS) and the WHO-5 Well-Being Index (WHO-5) and were asked about their caffeine consumption habits in an online survey.ResultsThere were no associations between ADHD and coffee, tea, energy drink or cola consumption or daily caffeine consumption. However, the results of the path analysis showed that the level of ADHD symptoms was positively associated with the level of CUD (β = 0.350) and negatively with the WHO-5 (β = −0.259).ConclusionsCaffeine consumption was not associated with ADHD symptom severity and thus not likely to represent self-medication. On the contrary, caffeine use disorder severity is associated with more ADHD symptoms and both caffeine use disorder and ADHD are associated with lower well-being.

Comorbidity of ADHD and allergic diseases in early adolescence: The role of parental smoking at home.

A growing body of research suggests an association between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and allergic disorders, but little work has been done to explore the role of external factors such as parental smoking at home in the development of comorbid ADHD and allergic disorders. This study aimed to examine the association between allergic diseases and ADHD adjusted for exposure to parental smoking at home in early adolescents. We recruited 250 male (41.7%) and 350 female (58.3%) adolescents (mean [SD] age, 13.29 [0.52] years) via chain-referral sampling. Their ADHD symptoms were assessed by the parent proxy-report version of the Chinese Strengths and Weaknesses of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity-symptoms and Normal-behaviours (SWAN) rating scale. Data on the participants’ history of clinician-diagnosed allergic diseases, family socio-demographics, and parental smoking habit were collected using a parent-completed questionnaire. Regression analyses were performed to examine the associations of interest. The levels of ADHD symptoms were comparable between allergic and non-allergic participants after controlling for child and family demographics and parental smoking at home. Notably, the risk of probable ADHD was particularly high in participants with food allergies (odd ratio = 4.51, p = 0.011) but not in those with allergic rhinitis after adjusting for parental smoking at home. Our findings suggest that second-hand smoke exposure at home is a potential risk factor underlying the link between ADHD and allergic diseases. Current management guidelines should emphasize the importance of early identification and cessation of tobacco smoke exposure for prevention of comorbidity of ADHD and allergic disorders.Clinical Trial Registration (if any): NA.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms and cannabis use after one year among students of the i-Share cohort.

AbstractBackgroundCannabis use in university students is associated with academic achievement failure and health issues. The objective of the study was to evaluate the association between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms and cannabis use after 1 year among students according to previous cannabis use.MethodsStudents in France were recruited from February 2013 to July 2020 in the i-Share cohort. 4,270 participants were included (2,135 who never used cannabis at inclusion and 2,135 who did). The Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) was used to assess ADHD symptoms at inclusion. Cannabis use frequency was evaluated 1 year after inclusion. Multinomial regressions were conducted to assess the association between inclusion ADHD symptoms and cannabis use after 1 year.ResultsIncrease in ASRS scores was linked with a greater probability to use cannabis after 1 year and to have a higher cannabis use frequency (once a year—once a month adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 1.24 (1.15–1.34), more than once a month adjusted OR: 1.43 (1.27–1.61)). Among participants who never used cannabis at inclusion, this association disappeared (once a year—once a month adjusted OR: 1.15 (0.95–1.39), more than once a month adjusted OR: 1.16 (0.67–2)) but remained in participants who ever used cannabis at inclusion (once a year—once a month adjusted OR: 1.17 (1.06–1.29), more than once a month adjusted OR: 1.35 (1.18–1.55)).ConclusionsHigh levels of ADHD symptoms in students could lead to continued cannabis use rather than new initiations.

Parenting group composition does not impact program effects on children's conduct problems.

Many established parenting programs for children's conduct problems are delivered in groups. Various, and at times conflicting, beliefs exist about whether families fare better in groups with parents that are more similar to them, or in groups that are more diverse. We set out to test these beliefs empirically. We integrated data from four trials of the Incredible Years parenting program in the Netherlands, including 452 families (children age 2-10 years) participating in 44 parenting groups. We used multilevel regression to test whether families benefit more (or less) when they participate in a group with parents that are more similar to them in terms of ethnic background, educational level, and children's baseline conduct problems, Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) symptoms, and emotional problems. In addition, we tested whether relative group position effects were stronger for some families than for others (e.g., whether especially ethnic minority families benefit from groups that are more ethnically diverse). Families with more severe conduct problems benefited more, but they did not fare better (or worse) in groups where other families were more similar to them. Regarding the other group characteristics, families' relative group position did not predict parenting program effects on children's conduct problems. Our findings held across families with different sociodemographic backgrounds and different levels of children's ADHD symptoms and emotional problems. We found no evidence that parenting group composition impacts the effectiveness of the Incredible Years parenting program for children's conduct problems. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).