Sex-specific trajectories of ADHD symptoms from adolescence to young adulthood (original) (raw)
Related papers
Sex differences in ADHD symptom severity
Background: Males show higher rates of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) than do females. Potential explanations include genuine etiological differences or artifact. Methods: 2,332 twin and sibling youth participated in behavioral and cognitive testing. Partially competing models of symptom severity distribution differences, the mean difference, and variance difference models, were tested within a randomly selected subsample. The Delta method was used to test for mediation of sex differences in ADHD symptom severity by processing speed, inhibition and working memory. Results: The combined mean difference and variance difference models fully explained the sex difference in ADHD symptom severity. Cognitive endophenotypes mediated 14% of the sex difference effect. Conclusions: The sex difference in ADHD symptom severity is valid and may be due to differing genetic and cognitive liabilities between the sexes.
The impact of sex and subtypes on cognitive and psychosocial aspects of ADHD
Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology, 2006
We compared the effect of sex and attention-deficithyperactivity disorder (ADHD) subtyping in groups of females and males. One hundred and one females with ADHD (mean age 10y 4mo [SD 2y 8mo]; range 5y-18y) were classified according to subtype by Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th edn) criteria (inattentive [ADHD-I]; combined [ADHD-C]) and balanced by subtype to 101 males (mean age 10y 5mo [SD 2y 9mo]; range 5y 4mo-17y 6mo). All children underwent IQ and reading assessment, and 109 underwent the continuous performance task (Test Of Variables of Attention [TOVA]). Parents completed the Conners' Abbreviated Rating Scale (ABRS), the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), learning disability* questionnaires, and reported use and efficacy of methylphenidate. Teachers completed the Swanson, Kotkin, Agler, M-Flynn, and Pelham (SKAMP) rating scale. Sex differences were found only on the CBCL; females were more impaired on the attention (p<0.001) and somatization (p=0.028) subscales but not for IQ, other questionnaires, TOVA scores, methylphenidate treatment, or demographics. Females with ADHD-C, but not males, had significantly higher T-scores than females with ADHD-I on social, attention, delinquent, and aggressive behaviours. Regardless of sex, children with ADHD-C had higher scores on all CBCL subscales (p=0.047), ABRS (p<0.001), and SKAMP (p=0.03) than children with ADHD-I. The results support the supposition that ADHD in females is the same disorder as in males. ADHD subtyping was the important determinant of ADHD core symptoms; females with ADHD were found to have significant risk of psychopathology.
Sex differences in ADHD trajectories across childhood and adolescence
Developmental Science
Background: Previous studies have hinted at sex differences in developmental trajectories in ADHD symptoms; however, little is known about the nature or cause of these differences and their implications for clinical practice. Method: We used growth mixture modelling in a community-ascertained cohort of n=1571 participants to study sex differences in ADHD symptom developmental trajectories across the elementary and secondary school years. Participants were measured at ages 7,
ADHD and gender: are risks and sequela of ADHD the same for boys and girls?
2007
Background: Research comparing treatment-referred boys and girls with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has yielded equivocal results. Contradictory findings may be associated with differential referral practices or unexplored interactions of gender with ADHD subtypes. Method: We examined possible gender differences in ADHD and its subtypes among children aged 4 to 17 in a representative community sample (N ¼ 1896) in Puerto Rico. Caretakers provided information through the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children (version IV) and a battery of impairment, family relations, child problems, comorbidity and treatment measures. Results: ADHD was 2.3 times more common in boys than girls, but with one exception there was little evidence that the patterns of associations of ADHD with correlates were different for boys and girls. The exception was school suspension, which was more common among ADHD boys than girls. Additional gender interactions were found when ADHD subtypes were considered. Among those with combined type (n ¼ 50), boys were more likely to be comorbid with mood disorders than girls. For those with the inattentive type (n ¼ 47), girls were more likely to be comorbid with anxiety disorders than boys. Conclusions: Our findings lend cross-cultural generalizability to recent reports that gender does not interact with correlates for ADHD overall, but that it may play a role in subtypes.
Sex Differences in the Manifestation of ADHD in Emerging Adults
Journal of Attention Disorders, 2012
Objective: Given the mixed literature in the area, the aim of the current study was to determine whether sex differences exist in inattention, hyperactivity, and impairment in college adults with ADHD. Method: Individuals from three universities were recruited for the study. Participants with (n = 164) and without ADHD (n = 710) completed on-line measures of symptoms and impairment. Results: College women with ADHD were shown to have higher rates of inattention, hyperactivity, and impairment than college women without ADHD and college men with ADHD. Analyses revealed that women in college who have ADHD experience higher levels of impairment in the following domains: home life, social life, education, money management, and daily life activities. Conclusion: Overall, clear differences emerged between men and women with ADHD. Implications and future directions are discussed. (J. of Att. Dis. 2012; 16 Bios David A. Fedele, MS, is a doctoral candidate at Oklahoma State University. Within the area of ADHD, he has taken specific interest in conducting research to identify patterns of impairment and improve the identification of emerging adults with ADHD.
Women with Childhood ADHD: Comparisons by Diagnostic Group and Gender
2011
This study compared adult women with childhood ADHD to adult women without childhood ADHD and to adult men with childhood ADHD. The participants, all from a larger longitudinal study, included 30 women and 30 men (approximately age 23 to 24) with childhood ADHD, and 27 women without ADHD. Women with childhood ADHD were matched to comparison women on age, ethnicity, and parental education, and to men with childhood ADHD on age, ethnicity, and IQ. Self-and parent-reports of internalizing, interpersonal, academic, and job impairment, as well as substance use and delinquency indicated group differences on measures of self-esteem,
Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology
We assessed the predictive validity of attention-deficit=hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in 20 girls and 98 boys who met the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (4th ed., American Psychiatric ssociation, 1994) criteria for ADHD at 4 to 6 years of age compared to 24 female and 102 male comparison children. Over the next 8 years, both girls and boys who met criteria for ADHD in Year 1 exhibited more ADHD symptoms and impairment than same-sex comparison children. Effect sizes were consistently large, ndicating that the diagnosis of ADHD at 4 to 6 years of age has predictive validity for both sexes. Both girls and boys with ADHD in Year 1 also exhibited higher levels of symptoms of conduct disorder, major epression, and anxiety disorders in early adolescence than same-sex comparison children, controlling levels of the same symptoms in Year 1. This indicates both substantial homotypic and heterotypic continuity for ADHD in both sexes, but significant interactions with ti...
Gender-Related Clinical Characteristics in Children and Adolescents with ADHD
Journal of Clinical Medicine
Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is the most frequently diagnosed neurodevelopmental disorder in school-age children, and it is usually associated with a significant impairment in global functioning. Traditionally, boys with ADHD are more likely to be referred for clinical assessments due to a higher prevalence of externalizing symptoms. However, as regards gender-related differential clinical characteristics between boys and girls with ADHD, further investigation is warranted in light of conflicting results found in currently available literature. In fact, a more precise clinical characterization could help increase appropriate diagnoses and treatment planning. In this context, we carried out a retrospective observational study on 715 children and adolescents diagnosed with ADHD from 2018 to 2020 at our center, in order to describe their gender-related clinical characteristics. Boys displayed higher average IQs, but they were comparable to girls in functional impairm...
Journal of Attention Disorders, 2019
Objective: To document inter- and intra-cohort changes in adult ADHD and examine whether changes vary by gender. Method: We analyze data from the 2007 and 2012 U.S. National Health Interview Survey. Results: The prevalence of ADHD among adults aged 18 to 64 years increased from 3.41% in 2007 to 4.25% in 2012. As expected, patterns of inter- and intra-cohort change varied by gender. At younger ages, inter-cohort gender differences are more distinct due to a spike in prevalence among boys/men born in or after 1980. Consistent with a gender-specific historical period effect, recent intra-cohort increases among women have narrowed the gender gap. Conclusion: The gender gap in the prevalence of ADHD among adults decreased by 31.1% from 2007 to 2012 due to increased prevalence among adult women of all ages. We discuss these results in relation to diagnostic practice, adult health and well-being, data limitations and needs, and directions for future research.