ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER

Does ADHD contribute to criminal behavior?

Table of Contents

Introduction3

Prior Research4

A Life-Course Model6

Data8

Variables9

The SWAN scale of ADHD symptom9

Criminal Behavior9

Early Childhood Confounding Variables and Moderators10

Bonds to Family, School, and Peers11

Descriptive Statistics12

Findings13

Conclusion15

References18

Does ADHD contribute to criminal behavior?

Introduction

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neuropsychiatric condition characterized by developmentally inappropriate levels of inattention, impulsivity and overactive behavior. Although the precise etiology of ADHD remains unknown, twin studies using parent- and teacher-rated symptom scales demonstrate the predominant role of genetic factors, with heritability estimates in the range of 60-90 percent (Faraone et al, 2005; Thapar et al, 2006). Other contributing factors may include birth complications, maternal smoking and family adversity (Hurtig et al, 2005). Childhood prevalence estimates of ADHD range from 4 percent to 12 percent (Gershon, 2002), and follow-up studies report that 70-80 percent of children diagnosed with ADHD remain symptomatic through adolescence (Hurtig et al, 2007). Prevalence estimates of adult ADHD range from 2 percent to 5 percent (Thapar et al, 2006).

The statistical association between ADHD and various forms of misconduct is well established (Pratt et al, 2002; Rabiner et al, 2005). A study of prisoners in Germany found that 45 percent of the inmates meet the diagnostic criteria for ADHD (Rosler et al, 2004). The corresponding rates in United States and Canada are over 50 percent (Lindgren et al, 2002). However, at this time, little is known about the mechanisms that account for the relationship between ADHD and criminal behavior (Thapar et al, 2006; Pratt et al, 2002). Given that hyperactivity and attention deficits are frequently associated with other early emerging risk factors - such as conduct disorder and family adversity (Hurtig et al, 2005) - a significant part of the link between ADHD and crime may be spurious. It is also possible that the influence of ADHD on antisocial behavior is moderated by additional risk factors. Finally, the effect of ADHD on criminal involvement may be mediated by environmental processes and related negative outcomes, such as educational failure (Rosler et al, 2004; Thapar et al, 2006).

Based on a meta-analysis of 20 studies, Pratt et al (2002) concluded that the role of ADHD in crime causation warrants further attention. Although there have been recent attempts to integrate ADHD into criminological theory, existing studies are based on cross-sectional surveys of relatively small samples and have been forced to rely on self-reported delinquency as the measure of offending behavior. The present study extends this literature by offering a longitudinal analysis of the effect of ADHD on criminal behavior. We attend to several potentially confounding factors and examine mediating and moderating processes suggested by key theories of life-course criminology.

Prior Research

ADHD has been found to exhibit a significant degree of co-morbidity with other early childhood risk factors, most notably conduct disorder and cognitive deficits (Eaves et al, 2000). In some studies, the association between ADHD and antisocial behavior appears spurious, whereas other studies find evidence of causation (Raine et al, 2005). Prior research has also identified a number of predisposing factors that may affect the ...