Lifetime criminality among boys with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: A prospective follow-up study into adulthood using official arrest records

Abstract

This study investigates the relationship between childhood attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and later criminality. White boys (n = 207, ages 6-12) with ADHD, free of conduct disorder, were assessed at ages 18 and 25 by clinicians who were blind to childhood status. A non-ADHD group served as comparisons. Lifetime arrest records were obtained when subjects were 38 years old for subjects who resided in New York State throughout the follow-up interval (93 probands, 93 comparisons). Significantly more ADHD probands than comparisons had been arrested (47% vs. 24%), convicted (42% vs. 14%), and incarcerated (15% vs. 1%). Rates of felonies and aggressive offenses also were significantly higher among probands. Importantly, the development of an antisocial or substance use disorder in adolescence completely explained the increased risk for subsequent criminality. Results suggest that even in the absence of comorbid conduct disorder in childhood, ADHD increases the risk for developing antisocial and substance use disorders in adolescence, which, in turn, increases the risk for criminal behavior in adolescence and adulthood.

Prevalence of adult ADHD in an all-female prison unit

“…Satterfield and Schell (1997) reported that hyperactive boys, with childhood conduct problems, had higher rates of arrest during adolescence (46%) and adulthood (21%) than controls. In addition, Mannuzza et al (2008) demonstrated a similar increased risk of arrest, conviction and incarceration in adulthood for boys who had ADHD and no conduct problems than non-ADHD controls. Furthermore, individuals with ADHD come into contact with the criminal justice system at a higher rate than the general population (Goldstein 1997).…”

“…Longitudinal studies have shown that ADHD is strongly associated with criminality in adolescence and adulthood (Mannuzza et al 1989;Mannuzza et al 2008;Satterfield and Schell 1997). Satterfield and Schell (1997) reported that hyperactive boys, with childhood conduct problems, had higher rates of arrest during adolescence (46%) and adulthood (21%) than controls.…”

“…Furthermore, individuals with ADHD come into contact with the criminal justice system at a higher rate than the general population (Goldstein 1997). Follow-up studies looking at lifetime criminality in boys with ADHD, have found that individuals with ADHD were more likely to be arrested, incarcerated and convicted in comparison to their non-ADHD counterparts (Mannuzza et al 2008). Mannuzza and colleagues also found that participants with ADHD engaged in more aggressive and violent offences.…”

“…Previous studies have reported high rates of mood disorders (60.7%) and anti-social personality disorder (26.8%) in female prisoners (Gunter et al 2008); therefore, it is likely that the current sample also experience similar mental health problems. In addition, the relationship between conduct disorder, ADHD and criminality has been studied in males with some mixed findings (Mannuzza et al 2008;Satterfield and Schell 1997) understanding of how ADHD symptomology is related to the occurrence of serious incidents in female prisons, especially since incidents of self harm and suicide are a major concern in female prisons (HMP 2006). ADHD increases the likelihood of psychiatric morbidity and in this case self-harm and suicide may be a serious risk factor for female prisoners with ADHD.…”

Neurobiologie du trouble déficit de l’attention/ hyperactivité

“…L'ICD-10 2 propose une définition plus restreinte du syndrome, celle 2 Le chapitre 5 (F) de la « dixième révision de la classification internationale des maladies et des problèmes de santé connexes » (CIM-10/ICD-10) consiste en une classification détaillée de plus de 300 troubles mentaux et troubles du comportement ; section F90 : perturbation de l'activité et de l'attention. retentissement sur l'entourage familial et les trajectoires scolaires et professionnelles ainsi que les coûts sanitaires et sociaux sont des conséquences indirectes du TDAH [4,5]. La classification américaine DSM-IV-TR 1 définit le « trouble déficit de l'attention/hyperactivité » comme une entité diagnostique multi-A.…”