Romantic Relationships and Sexual Behavior Among Adolescents With ADHD

Margherio, Samantha M.; Capps, Elizabeth; Monopoli, John; Evans, Steven W.; Hernandez-Rodriguez, Melissa; DuPaul, George J.

doi:10.1177/1087054720914371

Cited by 9 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 43 publications

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“…However, previous research has also found that risky sexual behaviors are used as a dysfunctional form of emotion regulation in clinical and non-clinical populations ( 69 , 70 ) and our results suggest that this could account for ADHD individuals as well. Furthermore, previous research suggested that risky sexual behaviors as a behavioral expression of emotion regulation appears to be a relevant risk factor for sexual victimization ( 71 , 72 ). In accordance to other previous studies ( 73 – 75 ), we found a high rate of almost 20% of previous sexually abusive experiences in our ADHD sample, and almost 25% in women with ADHD, showing that this might indeed be a relevant problem which should be addressed in clinical interventions aiming at improving emotion dysregulation.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sexuality in Adults With ADHD: Results of an Online Survey

Hertz

Turner

Barra³

et al. 2022

Front. Psychiatry

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Establishing a secure sexual identity is a major developmental goal of an individual's transition from childhood to adolescence and the years that follow. Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as a neurodevelopmental disorder defined by the core symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, but also with emotional dysregulation, oppositional behaviors, or disorganization appearing early in life, can affect several areas of an individual's personal and social development, including sexual health. Yet, the scientific knowledge about the relationship between ADHD and sexual functioning is still scarce. Using an anonymous online survey, we compared different sexual behaviors including risky sexual behaviors, hypersexual behaviors, and sexual dysfunctions between 206 individuals with (n = 139) and without (n = 76) ADHD. Individuals with ADHD reported significantly more hypersexual behaviors than non-ADHD individuals, whereas no differences were found concerning risky sexual behaviors or sexual dysfunctions. In women with ADHD, hypersexual behaviors, sexual risk-taking as well as sexual dysfunctions were closely related to symptoms of emotional dysregulation, impulsivity, and oppositional symptoms. In men with ADHD, the associations between ADHD symptomatology and the sexuality-related measures were less clear, however, signs of emotional dysregulation seemed to be relevant as well. Since individuals with ADHD seem to be at an increased risk of some peculiarities in sexual behavior, sexuality-related issues should be routinely addressed during clinical consultations to provide more holistic treatment in order to enhance individual well-being and quality of life.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sexuality in Adults With ADHD: Results of an Online Survey

Hertz

Turner

Barra³

et al. 2022

Front. Psychiatry

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“…The difficulties with stigma, school, poor social relationships and comorbid mental illness in childhood further increase the risk of social isolation at a time when social integration is key, both to development more generally and to learning social skills that foster healthy relationships later in the life course (Copeland et al., 2018; Umberson et al., 2010). Indeed, by adolescence, ADHD is linked to more risky behavior, higher levels of substance use and (for adolescent girls) higher levels of teen pregnancy (Margherio et al., 2020; Rokeach & Wiener, 2018; Shoham et al., 2019, 2020; Skoglund et al., 2019).…”

Section: Childhood Adhd Stigma and Experiences With Intimate Unions mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Though prior research has examined ties between ADHD and nonmarital unions (which include both cohabiting and dating relationships), few studies have considered the impact of ADHD on the prevalence, stability and quality of cohabiting unions, specifically (Bruner et al., 2015; Pollock et al., 2017). Yet, positive associations between ADHD and romantic relationship turnover suggest more impulsive entries into intimate unions for those with ADHD, which may lead to a greater number of cohabiting partnerships throughout the life course (Eickmeyer & Manning, 2018; Manning, 2020; Margherio et al., 2020). Similarly, more impulsive entries into cohabiting unions might result in poorer quality unions that are shorter in duration and less likely to end in marriage for those with versus without ADHD (Manning & Cohen, 2012).…”

Section: Opportunities For Future Research On Childhood Adhd and Adulmentioning

confidence: 99%

Childhood mental health and adult family relationships: How ADHD shapes experiences with intimate unions and parenthood

Kroeger

2021

Sociology Compass

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Increasingly recognized as a chronic condition that can endure across the life course, childhood attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is associated with less stable family formation and more strain around intimate unions (dating, cohabitation and marriage) and parenthood. This article reviews and evaluates multidisciplinary research on childhood ADHD, intimate unions and parenthood, with the purpose of motivating future sociological research in this area. The paper is organized into three general sections. First, I provide an overview of information on ADHD including its diagnosis and treatment, cross‐disciplinary etiologies, and sociodemographic correlates. Next, I blend sociological perspectives on labeling and stigma, social stress, and the life course to consider the role of ADHD‐related stigma in shaping associations of childhood ADHD with family formation processes (intimate unions and parenthood) and family functioning (relationship quality and communication) in adulthood. Finally, I discuss opportunities for future sociological research on childhood ADHD and adult family relationships that have the potential to contribute both to empirical research on childhood ADHD and adult family relationships, as well as to sociological research at the intersection of family and health.

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“…It is characterized by impairing, pervasive inattention and/or impulsivity and hyperactivity that entail a huge burden for the individual and society, including school and work under-achievement, worse physical health (Arrondo et al, 2022; Ruiz-Goikoetxea et al, 2018), and impaired social relations (Harpin, Mazzone, Raynaud, Kahle, & Hodgkins, 2016). Individuals with ADHD struggle with managing conflict and personal relationships and tend to have more tumultuous intimate relationships, with greater number of partners (Margherio et al, 2021), and higher rates of divorce (Klein et al, 2012), compared to neurotypical individuals.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder as a risk factor for being involved in intimate partner violence and sexual violence: a systematic review and meta-analysis

et al. 2023

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Background Intimate partner violence (IPV) and sexual violence (SV) are significant problems world-wide, and they affect women disproportionally. Whether individuals with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are at an increased risk of being involved in these types of violence is unclear. Methods We carried out a systematic review and meta-analysis (PROSPERO registration CRD42022348165) of the associations between ADHD and being the victim or perpetrator of IPV and SV. Ratios of occurrence of violence were pooled in random-effects models and study risk of bias was evaluated using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale. Results A search on multiple databases, carried out on 7 October 2022, yielded 14 eligible studies (1 111 557 individuals). Analyses showed a higher risk of ADHD individuals being involved in IPV as perpetrators (six studies, OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.51–4.15) or victims (four studies, OR 1.78, 95% CI 1.06–3.0). Likewise, individuals with ADHD were at increased risk of being perpetrators (three studies, OR 2.73, 95% CI 1.35–5.51) or victims of SV (six studies, OR 1.84, 95% CI 1.51–2.24). Results were overall robust to different analytical choices. Conclusions Individuals with ADHD are at an increased risk of being involved in cases of violence, namely IPV and SV, either as victims or perpetrators. Although the causal path or mediating variables for these results are still unclear, this increased risk should inform evidence-based psychoeducation with individuals with ADHD, their families, and partners about romantic relationships and sexuality.

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Romantic Relationships and Sexual Behavior Among Adolescents With ADHD

Cited by 9 publications

References 43 publications

Sexuality in Adults With ADHD: Results of an Online Survey

Sexuality in Adults With ADHD: Results of an Online Survey

Childhood mental health and adult family relationships: How ADHD shapes experiences with intimate unions and parenthood

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder as a risk factor for being involved in intimate partner violence and sexual violence: a systematic review and meta-analysis

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