Symptom covariance accounts for behavioral approach associations across impulse control disorders.

Behavioral approach system (BAS) dysfunction has been identified as a correlate of and a potential mechanism for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and comorbid disorders. This study examined the role of symptom covariation in the relations among BAS dysfunction, ADHD symptoms, and comorbid impulsive personality disorder features. Undergraduates (N = 207) completed measures of BAS functioning, ADHD symptoms, and borderline and antisocial personality disorder symptoms, and associated features (i.e., relational aggression). Hierarchical regression suggested that age, impulsive ADHD symptoms, and relational aggression were associated with BAS functioning. Adding other ADHD symptom dimensions (inattention, hyperactivity) and antisocial and borderline scores to the model did not increase variance accounted for beyond that accounted for by ADHD impulsivity scores. Results highlight a role of symptom covariance in the previously demonstrated relation between BAS, impulsive presentations of ADHD, and comorbid impulsive personality pathology. Implications for etiological models of ADHD and its co-occurrence with other disorders are discussed.

Association Between Pubertal Onset and Symptoms of ADHD in Female University Students.

OBJECTIVE: This exploratory study investigated how the timing of female pubertal maturation was associated with the symptoms of ADHD in a non-clinical female undergraduate sample (N = 253). METHOD: Participants (Mage = 20.2 ± 1.7 years) completed a set of self-report rating scales examining pubertal onset and ADHD symptoms and related deficits. RESULTS: Logistic regression analysis indicated that early puberty was associated with elevation in symptoms, including difficulties in attention (odds ratio [OR] = 1.270, p = .019), emotion regulation (OR = 1.070, p = .038), and more risky behavior (OR = 1.035, p = .045). That is, increased symptom endorsement was shown to significantly help classify those who reported having an earlier pubertal onset relative to their peers. CONCLUSION: Findings highlight the potential role of sex hormones during puberty in explaining the gender differences in prevalence rates of ADHD and symptom profiles.

Barriers to and Reasons for Treatment Initiation Among Gambling Help-line Callers.

Identifying barriers to seeking treatment is essential for increasing problem gambler treatment initiation in the community, given that as few as 1 in 10 problem gamblers ever seek treatment. Further, many problem gamblers who take the initial step of contacting problem gambling help-lines do not subsequently go on to attend face-to-face treatment. There is limited research examining reasons for attending treatment among this population. This study addressed these gaps in the literature by examining barriers and attractions to treatment among callers to the State of Michigan Problem Gambling Help-line. In total, 143 callers (n = 86 women) completed the Barriers to Treatment for Problem Gambling (BTPG) questionnaire and responded to open-ended questions regarding barriers to and reasons for treatment initiation, as part of a telephone interview. Greater endorsement of barriers to treatment was associated with a lower likelihood of initiating treatment, especially perceived absence of problem and treatment unavailability. Correspondingly, problem gamblers who identified more reasons to attend treatment were more likely to attend, with positive treatment perceptions being the most influential. These findings can help get people into treatment by addressing barriers and fostering reasons for attending treatment, as well as reminding clinicians of the importance of identifying and addressing individual treatment barriers among patients with problem gambling.

Childhood ADHD and addictive behaviours in adolescence: a canadian sample.

OBJECTIVE: To compare rates of early addictive behaviours in a clinic sample of youth with childhood attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) with those in community populations. METHOD: We surveyed 142 adolescents (14.1 ± 1.14 years), diagnosed with ADHD before age 12, about early substance use and problem gambling using questions from two cross-sectional population studies: the Canadian National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth, Ontario subsample, (N=1,317; 10-15 years) and the Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Survey (N=9,288; 12-18 years). RESULTS: The ADHD sample reported using cigarettes, 17.8% (95% CI 12.1-25.5), alcohol, 27.1% (20.1-35.5), cannabis, 14.2% (8.9-21.7), at a similar or lower rate than the NLSCY (cigarettes, 28.3% (25.8-30.9), alcohol, 28.6% (26.0-31.3), cannabis, 16.5% (14.0-19.4), and OSDUHS samples (cigarettes, 21.9% (20.2-23.7), alcohol, 58.6% (56.0-61.2), cannabis, 26.0% (23.9-28.2). With regards to gambling, there is a non-significant trend for ADHD youth to report gambling more frequently than the provincial average, 7.9% (3.3-17.9) vs. 4.3% (2.9-6.3). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings support the emerging literature that youth diagnosed with ADHD in childhood may not be at greater risk for onset of substance use in early adolescence. The study identified two areas that warrant further investigation in this population; the possible increased risk for substance use among females and a trend toward early onset of gambling behaviours.

OBJECTIF: Comparer les taux des comportements de dépendance précoces dans un échantillon clinique d'adolescents souffrant du trouble de déficit de l'attention/hyperactivité (TDAH) avec ceux de populations communautaires. MÉTHODE: Nous avons interrogé 142 adolescents (14,1 ans ± 1,14 an), ayant reçu un diagnostic de TDAH avant l'âge de 12 ans, au sujet de l'utilisation de substances précoce et du jeu problématique à l'aide des questions de deux études transversales dans la population: l'Enquête longitudinale nationale sur les enfants et les jeunes (ELNEJ), sous-échantillon de l'Ontario (N=1 317; 10­15 ans), et le Sondage sur la consommation de drogues et la santé des élèves de l'Ontario (SCDSEO) (N=9 288; 12­18 ans). RÉSULTATS: L'échantillon du TDAH déclarait utiliser des cigarettes; 17,8% (IC à 95% 12,1­25,5), de l'alcool; 27,1% (20,1­35,5), du cannabis; 14,2% (8,9­21,7), à un taux semblable ou inférieur à celui de l'ELNEJ [cigarettes, 28,3% (25,8­30,9), alcool, 28,6% (26,0­31,3), cannabis, 16,5% (14,0­19,4)], et des échantillons du SCDSEO [cigarettes, 21,9% (20,2­23,7), alcool, 58,6% (56,0­61,2), cannabis, 26,0% (23,9­28,2)]. En ce qui concerne le jeu, il y a une tendance non significative pour les adolescents du TDAH à déclarer le jeu plus fréquemment que la moyenne provinciale, 7,9% (3,3­17,9) contre 4,3% (2,9­6,3). CONCLUSIONS: Nos résultats soutiennent ce qu'affirme la nouvelle littérature, soit que les adolescents ayant reçu un diagnostic de TDAH dans l'enfance ne sont pas à risque accru de commencer l'utilisation de substances au début de l'adolescence. L'étude a identifié deux domaines qui nécessitent plus de recherche dans cette population; le risque accru possible d'utilisation de substances chez les filles et une tendance au début précoce de comportements de jeu problématique.