Predictors of ADHD Persistence in Girls at 5-Year Follow-Up

Abstract

Objective The main aim of this study was to examine the age-dependent remission from ADHD in girls transitioning through childhood into adolescence and early adulthood. Method We conducted a 5-year prospective follow-up study of 123 girls with ADHD and 106 non-ADHD control girls aged between 6 and 17 years at ascertainment. ADHD was considered persistent at follow-up if participants met full diagnostic criteria for DSM-IV ADHD or met residual criteria for DSM-IV ADHD with associated impairment (Global Age Forum [GAF] score < 60). Results By age 16 years, ADHD was persistent in 71% (95% CI = 61–79%) of girls with ADHD. Participants with persistent ADHD at follow-up had more psychiatric comorbidity, behavior problems, and functional impairment than girls with ADHD in remission. Remitted ADHD, however, continued to be associated with functional impairment relative to non-ADHD controls. Persistence at 5 years was predicted by increased behavioral impairment at baseline. Conclusion This 5-year follow-up suggests that many girls with ADHD experience persistent symptoms and/or functional impairment through late adolescence and into early adulthood.

Subthreshold and threshold attention deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms in childhood: psychosocial outcomes in adolescence in boys and girls

“…Our findings also support previous studies that have found associations between subthreshold levels of ADHD and negative outcomes 26, 31, 37, 38, 45, 46, 84. In this study, more boys and girls at the screen‐intermediate level displayed psychosocial problems than did their screen‐negative peers.…”

“…ADHD affects both boys and girls in all areas of functioning, for example, academically, cognitively, psychosocially, and psychiatrically 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30. Even though ADHD is associated with coexisting externalizing and internalizing disorders in both genders, girls with ADHD are significantly more likely to display internalizing disorders than boys with ADHD 25, 31, 32, 33.…”

Childhood Factors Affecting Persistence and Desistence of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Symptoms in Adulthood: Results From the MTA

“…11–12,21–22 While these are important predictors of persistence, effects of other family and child characteristics cannot be ignored. For example, socioeconomic status (SES) and family relationships affect children’s upbringing and their coping abilities.…”

Childhood Executive Function Continues to Predict Outcomes in Young Adult Females with and Without Childhood-Diagnosed ADHD

“…Although the literature is limited, it is quite clear that impairment persists into adolescence/young adulthood in childhood-diagnosed girls with ADHD (Biederman et al 2008a; Wåhlstedt et al 2008). Such continued impairment extends across multiple domains including ADHD symptoms, academic functioning, comorbid psychopathology, occupational functioning, and romantic and family relationships (Babinski et al 2011; Biederman et al 2010; Chronis-Tuscano et al 2010; Mick et al 2011). …”