Adult ADHD
Visual Abstract
Occupational outcome in adult ADHD: impact of symptom profile, comorbid psychiatric problems, and treatment: a cross-sectional study of 414 clinically diagnosed adult ADHD patients
Adult ADHD and Employment Stats
Anne Halmøy, Ole Bernt Fasmer, Christopher Gillberg, Jan Haavik
Summarized by:
April 23, 2023
study source
J Atten Disord
Sep 2009
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What they studied
The study examined long-term employment outcomes among adults with ADHD in Norway.
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What they found
Adults with ADHD were far less likely to have jobs than adults without ADHD. Many suffered from substance abuse and mental health challenges. Those who were treated with a stimulant as children did much better than those who were not.
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What this means
Those with ADHD face many challenges when entering the workforce. Some may be preventable with early intervention. The study also highlights the potential long-term benefits of stimulant treatment for children with ADHD.
Occupational Outcome in Adult ADHD: Impact of Symptom Profile, Comorbid Psychiatric Problems, and Treatment
Objective
Studies have linked having ADHD as a child with having more challenges in the workforce as an adult.
This study wanted to gather more information on what might be driving this link, including mental health, treatment, and ADHD symptoms.
Study Quote
To determine the effects of symptom profile, comorbid psychiatric problems, and treatment on occupational outcome in adult ADHD patients.
Method
Researchers conducted a cross-sectional survey of 414 adult ADHD patients. They asked them about their symptoms, their mental health, whether they were treated for ADHD, and their employment history.
Study Quote
Adult ADHD patients (N = 414) responded to questionnaires rating past and present symptoms of ADHD, comorbid conditions, treatment history, and work status.
Results
Adults with ADHD were far less likely to be employed than the general population in Norway.
Those with ADHD who were also suffering from substance abuse or other mental health issues were far less likely to be working compared to others with ADHD.
A study in Norway found that adults with ADHD were significantly less likely to be gainfully employed than adults without ADHD. Those with combined sub-type of ADHD, substance abuse, and other mental health issues were far less likely to be employed.
The results of this particular study may have been driven by high rates of substance abuse and mental illness in the study population, as detailed below.
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The presence of self-reported affective symptoms and substance abuse among the adult ADHD patients in this sample was high: Of the patients, 40% reported having been treated for other psychiatric conditions than ADHD, 70% reported a history of significant anxiety or depression, 25% reported problems with alcohol, and 27% reported problems with other drugs.
Those who were not working weren’t necessarily officially unemployed. Many were on disability or in rehabilitation but out of the workforce nonetheless.
A study in Norway found that adults with ADHD were less likely to be employed
Those with ADHD who were treated with a stimulant as children were far more likely to be employed than those with ADHD who were not treated with a stimulant.
A study, in Norway found that adults with ADHD were less likely to be employed. However, those who were treated with a stimulant as children were more likely to be employed than those with ADHD who were not treated.
Study Quote
Of the patients, 24% reported being in work, compared to 79% in a population-based control group (N = 359). Combined subtype of ADHD, substance abuse, and a reported history of depression or anxiety were correlated with being out of work. Current and past medical treatment of ADHD was co...
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Conclusion
These results are consistent with previous studies showing a link between ADHD and difficulties with employment.
The study's employment rate difference was particularly large and may have been partly due to response rates in the survey. The study was also conducted entirely in Norway. Different countries may have very different results based on income and availability of social services.
The link between stimulant treatment and employment was interesting.
The long-term effects of stimulants are still a widely debated and researched topic. This study offers evidence that stimulant treatment for children can have significant long-term benefits.
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The literature concerning possible long-term effects of pharmacotherapy in childhood ADHD is not conclusive....Our study showed that alcohol problems were more often reported in patients who did not receive treatment in childhood, whereas the proportion of patients reporting drug prob- lems was not significantly different between the two groups.
Study Quote
Early recognition and treatment of ADHD is a strong predictor of being in work as an adult, independently of comorbidity, substance abuse, and current treatment.