ADHD boys in young adulthood: Psychosocial adjustment

Objective: To prospectively examine psychosocial functioning in young adulthood in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Method: This 10-year prospective study compared psychosocial functioning in 18 young adult men in whom ADHD had been diagnosed in childhood and 18 male controls who had never been psychiatrically ill. Subjects' average age was 21 years at follow-up. Interviews assessed subjects' educational, occupational, residential, and marital status; utilization of mental health services; and psychological status. Results: Young adults with ADHD were significantly more likely than controls to be using mental health services, to report psychological problems, and to have fathered children. In addition, a trend indicated that young men with ADHD were more likely to have dropped out of high school but subsequently attained a graduate equivalency diploma. There was also a trend for young adults with ADHD to report a greater history of trouble with the law; however, the groups did not differ on current legal problems. Conclusions: Overall, these young adults with ADHD appear to have overcome educational and legal difficulties experienced during high school. However, continued problems in psychological functioning appear to persist into young adulthood.