ADHD in Children
Visual Abstract
ADHD and risky sexual behavior in adolescents: conduct problems and substance use as mediators of risk
The Link Between ADHD, Substance Use, and Risky Sexual Behavior in Teens
Dustin E Sarver, Michael R McCart, Ashli J Sheidow, Elizabeth J Letourneau
Summarized by:
October 4, 2023
study source
J Child Psychol Psychiatry
Dec 2014
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What they studied
Did ADHD symptoms correlate with risky sexual behavior in teenagers, and did conduct problems and substance abuse play a role?
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What they found
ADHD is linked to risky sexual behavior, but substance abuse, especially marijuana, is a significant driving factor.
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What this means
Addressing marijuana and alcohol use in teenagers with ADHD and conduct problems could reduce their risky sexual behaviors.
Objectives
Study Quote
Test whether ADHD symptoms were associated with RSB among adolescents, and examine comorbid conduct problems and problematic substance use as joint mediators of this association.
ADHD has been linked with differences in sexual behavior among teenagers and young adults. Previous studies have shown young adults who were hyperactive as kids had more sexual partners and were more likely to have children of their own as young adults
Young adult outcome of hyperactive children: adaptive functioning in major life activities
The researchers in this study wanted to find out if there's a connection between ADHD symptoms and risky sexual behavior in teenagers and if conduct problems and substance use play a role in this connection.
Methods
Study Quote
Assessed ADHD symptoms, conduct problems, problematic alcohol and marijuana use, and RSB among 115 adolescents involved in the juvenile justice system.
They looked at 115 teenagers from different backgrounds who were in the juvenile justice system, studying their ADHD symptoms, behavior issues, and alcohol and marijuana use, and checking if these were linked to risky sexual behavior.
Results
Study Quote
ADHD and RSB association was fully accounted for by problematic alcohol and marijuana use, not conduct problems. This was especially prevalent among youth with clinically elevated conduct problems.
They found that teenagers with ADHD were more likely to engage in risky sexual behaviors and were more likely to engage in marijuana and alcohol use.
However, when they conducted further statistical analysis, they found that this link was entirely mediated by alcohol and marijuana use. Essentially, teens with ADHD were more likely to engage in risky sexual behavior, but this was because they were also more likely to smoke marijuana and drink alcohol.
This effect was stronger in teens and young adults with more behavioral issues.
Conclusions
Study Quote
The association between ADHD and adolescent RSB is influenced by comorbid marijuana use problems, and to a lesser extent, alcohol use problems among youth with elevated conduct problems.
Researchers concluded that marijuana use and alcohol use problems are the key factors linking risky sexual behavior and ADHD.
This study is important because it links several key lifestyle risks associated with ADHD.
Substance use has been shown to be quite common among those with ADHD:
Part of the reason those with ADHD may have more issues with substance abuse, drinking, and risky sex may be higher impulsivity among those with ADHD. Impulsivity has been linked with higher rates of addiction:
It is also a key part of ADHD's symptoms: