The impact of ADHD on the health and well-being of ADHD children and their siblings

Abstract

Childhood attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has been associated with reduced health and well-being of patients and their families. The authors undertook a large UK survey-based observational study of the burden associated with childhood ADHD. The impact of ADHD on both the patient (N = 476) and their siblings (N = 337) on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and happiness was quantified using multiple standard measures [e.g. child health utility-9D (CHU-9D), EuroQol-5D-Youth]. In the analysis, careful statistical adjustments were made to ensure a like-for-like comparison of ADHD families with two different control groups. We controlled for carers’ ADHD symptoms, their employment and relationship status and siblings’ ADHD symptoms. ADHD was associated with a significant deficit in the patient’s HRQoL (with a CHU-9D score of around 6 % lower). Children with ADHD also have less sleep and were less happy with their family and their lives overall. No consistent decrement to the HRQoL of the siblings was identified across the models, except that related to their own conduct problems. The siblings do, however, report lower happiness with life overall and with their family, even when controlling for the siblings own ADHD symptoms. We also find evidence of elevated bullying between siblings in families with a child with ADHD. Overall, the current results suggest that the reduction in quality of life caused by ADHD is experienced both by the child with ADHD and their siblings.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00787-016-0841-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

What is the level of evidence for the use of currently available technologies in facilitating the self-management of difficulties associated with ADHD in children and young people? A systematic review

“…These include low academic attainment [10,11], which can persist into adulthood [12], poor executive functioning [13], poor social relationships, strained parent/child/sibling relationships [14] and problems with social interactions with peers [15]. This results in poorer quality of life and self-esteem in children and YP with ADHD [16,17].…”

The Influence of Health Behaviours in Childhood on Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder in Adolescence

“…ADHD in childhood and adolescence often persists into adulthood, causing significant impairment in psychosocial, neurobehavioral, and cognitive functioning [7]. Children and adolescents with ADHD are more likely to experience difficulties in academic learning and school performance [8,9,10,11], and have adverse behaviours and health consequences, including bullying behaviour, suicidal ideation, poor psychosocial health, increased injuries [12,13,14], and low quality of life [15,16]. ADHD commonly co-occurs with other mental health disorders, such as conduct disorder and internalizing disorder, which may exacerbate the difficulties of affected individuals [17].…”

Bullying in schools and its relation with depressive symptoms, self-esteem, and suicidal ideation in adolescents

“…7 Studies about peer bullying in the school showed many mental problems seem to be related to bullying or victimization such as depression, anxiety, psychosomatic complaints, night wetting, 7,8 stuttering, 9 encopresis, 10 suicide ideas, 11 conduct disorder, bipolar disorder, alcohol and substance use disorders, 6 attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. 12,13 One of the most interested psychopathologies in bullying literature is depression. Cross-sectional studies have shown that being a bully or a victim is associated with depression, suicide attempts, and thoughts.…”