Prevalence of adult ADHD in an all-female prison unit

Abstract

There is increasing evidence suggesting a link between ADHD and criminality, including a strong association between ADHD symptoms and the likelihood of being on probation or in prison. Most studies investigating the prevalence of ADHD in prison populations have focused on adult male offenders. In the current study, 69 female prisoners were screened for both childhood and adult ADHD symptoms using the Barkley Adult ADHD Rating Scale -IV (BAARS-IV). The results indicate that 41% of the prisoners met the diagnostic criteria for ADHD in childhood, and continued to meet criteria for ADHD as adults. More importantly young female prisoners (aged 18-25) were significantly more likely to report symptoms of ADHD than older prisoners. Prisoners who reported symptoms of ADHD also reported high levels of impairment associated with these symptoms. A better understanding of the prevalence of ADHD in female prison units can highlight specific areas for ADHD in Female Prisoners 2 intervention during rehabilitation, as well as the management of serious incidents within prison.

Adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in a Malaysian Forensic Mental Hospital: a Cross-sectional Study

“…3 However, among female prisoners in Britain, 41% met ADHD diagnosis in both childhood and adulthood. 26 The ADHD persistence rate of 63% was within the range of 5% to 75% reported in one study. 27 Participants with combined subtype of childhood ADHD had higher persistence rate than those with other subtypes.…”

Prevalence of ADHD Symptomatology in Adult Population in the Czech Republic–A National Study

“…Furthermore, the treatment options are often limited (Ramos-Quiroga et al, 2013). A high prevalence of ADHD was also found among the adult incarcerated population in an all-female study, where 41% of prisoners were eligible for a diagnosis of ADHD (Farooq et al, 2016).…”

Perfil De Mulheres Sob Privação De Liberdade: Aspectos Sociodemográficos, Ocupacionais E Criminais

“…Esse número reduzido de mulheres com ocupação na prisão é visto como uma dificuldade de reinserção social para essas mulheres, tendo em vista que grande parte da população carcerária feminina demostra interesse em desenvolver atividades de ocupação laboral. Esse déficit de oportunidade para essas mulheres acaba por inviabilizar a reiteração social delas, bem como retira-lhes a esperança de um futuro melhor, com uma perspectiva de emprego fora da prisão, depois de cumprir sua pena 11,14 .…”