A cross-sectional study on substance use and family characteristics of adolescents with symptoms of attention deficit and hyperactivity

A cross-sectional study on substance use and family characteristics of adolescents with symptoms of attention deficit and hyperactivity Introduction: The genetic aspect of Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is recognized without any dispute. For adolescents with a diagnosis of ADHD, development of substance dependency and interfamilial characteristics are important. These are factors which also affect the course of ADHD. Aims: It was intended to investigate the interfamilial characteristics and potential risks of adolescents with and without ADHD, as well as the factors which affect the onset of substance use for adolescents with ADHD. Method: The research has been conducted in 15 different administrative districts of Istanbul, among 10th grade students from different regions and different levels of socioeconomic status. The multistep cluster sampling method was used for the selection of the sample. YSR 11-18 (Youth Self Report) and a questionnaire which was developed by the researchers were used. A total of 3483 questionnaires were completed. Results: Among the research sample, 73.5% (n=2009) consisted of young people without any diagnosis. The proportion of participants with ADHD symptoms and no substance use was found to be 12.51% (n=342), participants having both ADHD symptoms and substance use formed 4.02% (n=110) of the sample and the ones without any ADHD symptoms, but present substance use made up 9.95% (n=272) of the sample. Alcohol use of the mother or history of substance use by the mother, father, siblings or relatives is higher for substance users whether or not ADHD symptoms are present, in comparison to other diagnostic groups. When the variables within sociodemographic factors, parent characteristics and the child raising practices of the parents were investigated with a logistic regression analysis, it was found that low academic achievement at school, the mother's alcohol use, the fact that the time when the child is supposed to come home is not certain and the parents' lack of agreed upon behavior regarding rules are the factors which determine substance use among young people with ADHD. Conclusions: The results of this study have established that low academic achievement at school, the mother's alcohol use, not having a certain time when the child is supposed to come home and the parents' lack of agreed upon behavior regarding rules as the factors which determine substance use among young people with ADHD.