A meta-analysis and systematic review of the risks associated with childhood attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder on long-term outcome of arrests, convictions, and incarcerations

2016 ◽  
Vol 48 ◽  
pp. 32-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina Mohr-Jensen ◽  
Hans-Christoph Steinhausen
2000 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-36 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen V. Faraone

The diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults has been a source of controversy, with some prominent researchers questioning its very existence and others suggesting it is an urgent clinical problem. This article reviews five domains of data addressing the validity of adult ADHD: clinical correlates, family history, treatment response, laboratory studies, and long-term outcome. It then shows how the debate over adult ADHD reflects a clash of theoretical paradigms and concludes by suggesting ways in which psychological science can collect the data needed to clarify the validity of adult ADHD.


The book provides a comprehensive summary of the best known and most highly respected well-controlled long-term prospective follow-up studies in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). These studies followed children with ADHD and matched controls into young adulthood (mean age 20–25 years) and middle age (mean age 41 years). They explore a wide variety of clinically relevant outcome areas, such as education, occupation, emotional and psychiatric functioning, substance use and abuse, sexual behavior, and legal problems. One chapter focuses particularly on the outcome of girls with ADHD. The book also explores possible predictors of adult outcome. A whole chapter is devoted to treatment (medication and psychosocial) as a predictor of outcome. In addition to treatment, predictors explored include characteristics of the child (e.g., IQ, severity of initial ADHD symptoms, initial comorbidity) and characteristics of the family (e.g., socioeconomic status, single parenthood, parental pathology, and family functioning). A summary chapter explores the impact and importance of these predictors in various outcome areas, such as education, occupation, emotional/social functioning, antisocial behavior, substance use and abuse, and risky sexual and driving behaviors. Professionals and the general public will come away with a clear view of what can happen to children with ADHD as they proceed through adolescence and adulthood. The book also addresses important prognostic and predictive factors in treatment approaches to ensure better long-term outcome in patients with ADHD.


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