Symptoms of ADHD and depression in a large adolescent population: Co-occurring symptoms and associations to experiences of sexual abuse

Abstract

Background: Symptoms of either attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or depression constitute the most common reasons for contact with child and adolescent psychiatry. The development of psychiatric symptoms can be explained by a combination of environmental stress events and genetic vulnerability. One common form of environmental stress with high impact on health is sexual abuse. Aims: To investigate the prevalence and co-occurrence of symptoms of ADHD and depression in relation to experiences of sexual abuse in a large adolescent general population. Method: All 15- and 18-year-old students (n = 4910) in the Swedish county of Vestmanland answered a school-based screening instrument including the six-question ADHD self-rating scale (ASRS), the Depression Self-Rating Scale (DSRS) and questions relating to experiences of sexual abuse. Results: The prevalence of co-occurring symptoms of ADHD and depression was 2.4% (boys 1.0%, girls 3.9%). The prevalence of experience of any sexual abuse was 20.9% (boys 13.3%, girls 28.7%). Of those with co-occurring symptoms, 48% of the boys and 47% of the girls reported a history of sexual abuse. Conclusions: School-based screening for co-occurring symptoms of ADHD and depression might be a method that identifies students at psychiatric and psychosocial risk.

• ADHD
• adolescents
• depression
• sex differences
• sexual abuse

Acknowledgements and disclosure of interests

Grants from the following funds and organizations are acknowledged: The Uppsala and Örebro Regional Research Council, Fredrik and Ingrid Thurings Foundation, the County Council of Västmanland, König-Söderströmska foundation, The Swedish Psychiatric Foundation and Swedish Council for Working Life and Social Research (FAS). The sponsors of the study had no role in the study design, data collection, data analysis, data interpretation or writing of the report.

KS, CÅ, JL and KWN were responsible for the study concept and design. CÅ and KWN contributed to the acquisition of data. CÅ performed the questionnaire management. KS, KWN performed the data analysis, interpretation of findings and drafted the manuscript. CÅ, JL provided critical revision of the manuscript for important intellectual content. All authors critically reviewed content and approved final version for publication. No conflict of interests declared.