Developmental Risk, Adversity Experiences and ADHD Clinical Profiles: A Naturalistic Exploratory Study

Abstract

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a persistent neurodevelopmental disorder that results from complex interactions of multiple genes and environmental risk and adversity factors. Some researchers have suggested a need for additional research into differing clinical presentations of ADHD for further classification. In this context, this study aimed to investigate whether increases in risk and adversity factors increase the severity of ADHD and the number of comorbid psychiatric disorders. This is a naturalistic retrospective chart review exploratory study in 100 patients 16 years or older who have a confirmed diagnosis of ADHD. The quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS, using the Mann–Whitney test for parametric data and the Chi-square and Kruskal–Wallis p value tests for non-parametric and categorical data. Qualitative data were tabulated and described. The study found that (1) the average number of comorbidities increases with the severity of ADHD, (2) the average number of risk and adversity factors increases with the severity of ADHD, (3) the number of risk and adversity factors were positively associated with the number of comorbidities, and (4) Level of education was negatively associated with the number of risk and adversity factors and the number of comorbidities. The implications of these findings are discussed, and future research in this important area is suggested.

Risk and Adversity Factors in Adult Patients with Comorbid Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Binge Eating Disorder (BED), and Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD): A Naturalistic Exploratory Study

“…Sex comparisons were not made due to the limited sample size. The study’s methodology was used in previous studies [ 21 ].…”

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder prevalence and associated factors among primary schoolchildren in Amman-Jordan

“…The etiology of ADHD is multifactorial, involving both genetic and environmental variables (Streeter & Sadek, 2022). ADHD has been linked to a variety of risk and adversity factors, however the majority of these links have yet to be shown causal (Sciberras et al, 2017).…”

The Prevalence and Associated Factors of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Among Primary School Children in Amman, Jordan

“…In the last 25 years, 26 studies on the prevalence of ADHD have been conducted in Arab countries, with rates ranging widely from 1.4% to 34.5%, according to a recent analysis [7,8]. The etiology of ADHD is multifactorial, involving both genetic and environmental variables [9]. ADHD has been linked to a variety of risk and adversity factors; however, the majority of these links have yet to be shown as causal [10].…”

“…The etiology of ADHD is multifactorial, involving both genetic and environmental variables [ 9 ]. ADHD has been linked to a variety of risk and adversity factors; however, the majority of these links have yet to be shown as causal [ 10 ].…”