B-11: Examining the Relationship Between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Symptom Presentation

Abstract

Objective: Individuals with ADHD often have higher exposure to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) than individuals without ADHD; however, little is known about how ACEs impact ADHD symptom presentations. This study examined the relationship between high vs. low ACE scores and ADHD presentation type. Method/Data Selection: 552 clinical patients who received a final ADHD diagnosis and completed the ACEs Questionnaire were analyzed. The participants included 232 males and 320 women aged 18-75, representing White, Black, Hispanic, Asian, and other racial/ethnic backgrounds. A chi-square and logistic regression examined the association between ACE exposure (high vs. low) and ADHD presentation (inattentive vs. combined), to determine whether ACE exposure predicted the ADHD presentation. Results/Data Synthesis: 45.1% were classified as ADHD-Inattentive, and 54.9% as ADHD-Combined. For low ACE exposure (0–3), 48.8% were inattentive and 51.2% combined, for high ACE exposure (≥4), 39.9% were inattentive and 60.1% combined, χ2(1, N=552)=4.24, p=.040. Logistic regression showed ACE exposure significantly predicted ADHD subtype, B=.36, p=.040. Those with high ACEs had 1.43 times greater odds of an ADHD-Combined diagnosis (95% CI [1.02, 2.02]). Conclusions: ACE exposure may play a role in ADHD symptom presentation among adults presenting for ADHD evaluation, with higher ACES resulting in greater odds of a combined presentation with both cognitive/inattention and behavioral dysfunction.