Psychiatric, Psychosocial, and Cognitive Functioning of Female Adolescents With ADHD (original) (raw)

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.

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,

ADHD in girls and boys – gender differences in co-existing symptoms and executive function measures

BMC Psychiatry, 2013

Background: ADHD is diagnosed and treated more often in males than in females. Research on gender differences suggests that girls may be consistently underidentified and underdiagnosed because of differences in the expression of the disorder among boys and girls. One aim of the present study was to assess in a clinical sample of medication naïve boys and girls with ADHD, whether there were significant gender x diagnosis interactions in co-existing symptom severity and executive function (EF) impairment. The second aim was to delineate specific symptom ratings and measures of EF that were most important in distinguishing ADHD from healthy controls (HC) of the same gender. Methods: Thirty-seven females with ADHD, 43 males with ADHD, 18 HC females and 32 HC males between 8 and 17 years were included. Co-existing symptoms were assessed with self-report scales and parent ratings. EF was assessed with parent ratings of executive skills in everyday situations (BRIEF), and neuropsychological tests. The three measurement domains (co-existing symptoms, BRIEF, neuropsychological EF tests) were investigated using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and random forest classification. Results: ANOVAs revealed only one significant diagnosis x gender interaction, with higher rates of self-reported anxiety symptoms in females with ADHD. Random forest classification indicated that co-existing symptom ratings was substantially better in distinguishing subjects with ADHD from HC in females (93% accuracy) than in males (86% accuracy). The most important distinguishing variable was self-reported anxiety in females, and parent ratings of rule breaking in males. Parent ratings of EF skills were better in distinguishing subjects with ADHD from HC in males (96% accuracy) than in females (92% accuracy). Neuropsychological EF tests had only a modest ability to categorize subjects as ADHD or HC in males (73% accuracy) and females (79% accuracy).

The gender differences in ADHD

The Gender Differences in ADHD Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the children's most known neurodevelopmental disorders. ADHD is usually diagnosed in children but can last into adulthood and dramatically affects the quality of life. ADHD contains a combination of several health issues that include impulsive behavior, hyperactivity, difficulty sustaining attention, low self-esteem, poor performance in school, and troubled relationships (Mayo Clinic). The data

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...

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 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.