Sex, drugs, and ADHD: The effects of ADHD pharmacological treatment on teens' risky behaviors

Abstract

Standard-Nutzungsbedingungen:Die Dokumente auf EconStor dürfen zu eigenen wissenschaftlichen Zwecken und zum Privatgebrauch gespeichert und kopiert werden.Sie dürfen die Dokumente nicht für öffentliche oder kommerzielle Zwecke vervielfältigen, öffentlich ausstellen, öffentlich zugänglich machen, vertreiben oder anderweitig nutzen.Sofern die Verfasser die Dokumente unter Open-Content-Lizenzen (insbesondere CC-Lizenzen) zur Verfügung gestellt haben sollten, gelten abweichend von diesen Nutzungsbedingungen die in der dort genannten Lizenz gewährten Nutzungsrechte. In the U.S., 8% of children are diagnosed with ADHD and 70% are taking medications, yet little evidence exists on the effects of ADHD treatment on children's outcomes. We use a panel of South Carolina Medicaid claims data to investigate the effects of ADHD drugs on the probability of risky sexual behavior outcomes (STDs and pregnancy), substance abuse disorders, and injuries. To overcome potential endogeneity, we instrument for treatment using physicians' preferences to prescribe medication. Our findings suggest that pharmacological treatment has substantial benefits. It reduces the probability of contracting an STD by 3.6 percentage points (7.7 percentage points if we include STD screening), reduces the probability of having a substance abuse disorder by 12.5 percentage points, reduces the probability of injuries by 3.1 percentage points per year, and associated with them Medicaid costs decrease by $122, or 0.07 standard deviation. Terms of use: Documents in EconStor may

Exploding Asthma and ADHD Caseloads: The Role of Medicaid Managed Care

“…One population that might experience a decline in injury in response to the switch to MMC are children with ADHD. In this population, medication has been shown to have positive effects in terms of reducing the risk of injury (Chorniy and Kitashima, 2016;Dalsgaard et al, 2014). Panels F and G examine the subsample of children who had at least one visit or prescription for ADHD over the entire sample period.…”

“…The vast majority of children diagnosed with ADHD receive medication, with some also receiving behavioral therapies. Many studies have shown short-term improvements in attention and decreases in disruptive behavior in medicated children, though the longer-term effects of medication for ADHD are more controversial (Scheffler et al, 2009;Visser et al, 2014;Currie et al, 2014;Dalsgaard et al, 2014;Chorniy and Kitashima, 2016). Although research is ongoing, the bulk of the evidence suggests that ADHD medication affects behavior in a way that may improve safety and health outcomes, however there is little evidence of long-term improvements in academic performance.…”

Exploding asthma and ADHD caseloads: The role of medicaid managed care

“…Finally, given previous evidence that treatment for ADHD can reduce ER visits and hospitalization for injuries (Chorniy and Kitashima, 2016; Dalsgaard et al, 2014) we also examine the effect of MMC on these outcomes.…”

“…The vast majority of children diagnosed with ADHD receive medication, with some also receiving behavioral therapies. Many studies have shown short-term improvements in attention and decreases in disruptive behavior in medicated children, though the longer-term effects of medication for ADHD are more controversial (Scheffler et al, 2009; Visser et al, 2014; Currie et al, 2014; Dalsgaard et al, 2014; Chorniy and Kitashima, 2016; Kitashima and Chorniy, 2017). …”

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“…Dalsgaard, Nielsen, and Simonsen () find that among those diagnosed with ADHD, receiving medication treatment results in fewer hospital contacts. Chorniy and Kitashima () find that among children who have been diagnosed with ADHD with Medicaid coverage in South Carolina, those receiving medication treatment are less likely to engage in risky behaviors. Children with ADHD are much less likely to succeed in school and may find that inability to pay attention causes a reduction in human capital formulation (Currie & Stabile, ; Fletcher & Wolfe, ).…”