Childhood ADHD Symptoms Are Associated With Lifetime and Current Illicit Substance-Use Disorders and In-Site Health Risk Behaviors in a Representative Sample of Latino Prison Inmates

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to explore retrospective childhood ADHD symptomatology, psychiatric comorbidity, rates of substance-use disorders (SUD), as well as their association with high-risk health behaviors in prison and adverse health outcomes. Method: A randomly selected representative sample of inmates in the Puerto Rico correctional system ( N = 1,179) was assessed with the Spanish-language Wender Utah Rating Scale (WURS); the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) modules for lifetime/current major depression disorder (MDD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and SUD; the Davidson Trauma Scale (DTS; posttraumatic stress disorder [PTSD]); and self-reports of in-site high-risk behaviors. Results: Wald χ2 tests revealed significant associations of ADHD with MDD and PTSD, as well as increased risk for overdosing and intravenous drug use in prison. A logistic regression model adjusted for mood and anxiety comorbidity predicted lifetime SUD diagnosis (odds ratio = 2.38; 95% confidence interval = [1.15, 4.94]). Conclusion: Our results provide further evidence on the association of drug dependence and ADHD symptoms, and their overrepresentation among prison inmates.