Antecedents and Complications of Trauma in Boys With ADHD: Findings From a Longitudinal Study

doi:10.1097/00004583-199901000-00019

Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry

Volume 38, Issue 1, January 1999, Pages 48-55

https://doi.org/10.1097/00004583-199901000-00019 Get rights and content

Abstract

Objective

To examine the relationship between trauma and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), evaluating whether ADHD increases the risk for trauma, the risk for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or the risk for trauma-associated psychopathology.

Method

Data from a longitudinal sample of 260 children and adolescents with and without ADHD were examined. All were evaluated comprehensively with assessments in multiple domains of functioning including systematic assessments of trauma and PTSD. Comparisons were made between traumatized and nontraumatized youths with and without ADHD.

Results

No meaningful differences were detected in comparisons between ADHD and control children, either in the rate of trauma exposure or in the development of PTSD. Although trauma was associated with the development of major depression, this effect was independent of ADHD status. In contrast, bipolar disorder at baseline assessment was a significant risk factor for subsequent trauma exposure.

Conclusions

ADHD was not found to be a risk factor for either trauma exposure or PTSD, but childhood mania was. If confirmed, this finding stresses the potential severe clinical sequelae of childhood mania in children. J. Am. Acad. Child Adolesc. Psychiatry, 1999, 38(1):48–55.

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: This work was supported in part by NIMH grant R01 MH41314-07 (Dr. Biederman).

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ARTICLESAntecedents and Complications of Trauma in Boys With ADHD: Findings From a Longitudinal Study

Abstract

Objective

Method

Results

Conclusions

J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry

Child Abuse Negl

J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry

J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry

J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry

J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry

J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry

J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry

J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry

J Affect Disord

J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry

J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry

ARTICLES
Antecedents and Complications of Trauma in Boys With ADHD: Findings From a Longitudinal Study