Risk of Intimate Partner Violence Among Young Adult Males With Childhood ADHD

Abstract

Objective Research has clearly documented the social dysfunction of youth with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, little is known about the interpersonal relationships of adults diagnosed with ADHD in childhood, including rates of intimate partner violence (IPV). Method Using data from the Pittsburgh ADHD Longitudinal Study, analyses compared the level of IPV (verbal aggression, violence) reported by young adult (18-25 year-old) males with childhood ADHD (n=125) to reports by demographically-similar males without ADHD histories (n=88). Results Males with childhood ADHD, especially those with conduct problems persisting from childhood, were more likely to be verbally aggressive and violent with romantic partners than males without histories of ADHD or conduct problems. Conclusion Research is needed to replicate these findings, to explore potential mechanisms, and to develop effective interventions for romantic relationship discord among young adults with ADHD histories, especially those with persistent conduct problems.

Integrative Couples Group Treatment for Emerging Adults With ADHD Symptoms

“…While preliminary, this is one of a small group of studies to find positive effects of treatment in a core domain of functional impairment for individuals with elevated ADHD symptoms (for others, see Barkley & Cox, 2007;Rostain & Ramsay, 2006;Weiss et al, 2012). Acknowledging the deleterious impact of ADHD symptoms on adult romantic relationships (e.g., Biederman et al, 2006;Canu, Tabor, Michael, Bazzini, & Elmore, 2014;Kessler et al, 2006;Wymbs et al, 2012), finding effects of the integrative group program on romantic relationships is encouraging. Improvement in relationship functioning may be valuable because it could facilitate romantic partners continuing to compensate for the difficulties of adults with elevated ADHD symptoms (Eakin et al, 2004).…”

ADHD in Childhood and/or Adulthood as a Risk Factor for Domestic Violence or Intimate Partner Violence: A Systematic Review

“…The case control studies of B. Wymbs et al (2012) and Mandell et al (1998) show a positive association for adult ADHD, unadjusted for childhood CD, or adult ASPD diagnosis. The study of B. T. Wymbs et al (2014) stresses the role of childhood ADHD as potentiating the association between problematic alcohol use and physical IPV.…”

Childhood Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Predicts Intimate Partner Victimization in Young Women

“…Among a sample of young men ages 18 to 25 years, Wymbs et al (2012) found that ADHD diagnostic status in childhood (but not symptom severity) was associated with increased risk for violence toward romantic partners. Fang and colleagues (2010) found that retrospectively reported childhood symptoms of hyperactivity/impulsivity (HI) and inattention predicted IPV perpetration in a mixed-sex population-based sample (see also Theriault & Holmberg, 2001).…”

“…A small body of research examining linkages between ADHD and IPV has focused exclusively on perpetration of IPV, particularly by men (Fang, Massetti, Ouyang, Grosse, & Mercy, 2010; Wymbs et al, 2012). Among a sample of young men ages 18 to 25 years, Wymbs et al (2012) found that ADHD diagnostic status in childhood (but not symptom severity) was associated with increased risk for violence toward romantic partners.…”