[Frequency, comorbidity and psychosocial correlates of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Results of a Bremen adolescent study].

Using data from the first wave of the Bremen Adolescent Study, this article presents findings on the frequency, comorbidity and correlates of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). ADHD ist the least common disorder examined in our study, with only two out of 1009 adolescents (0.2%) meeting the full DSM-IV criteria for ADHD. On the symptom level, our data show that 159 adolescents (15.8%) report at least six symptoms of inattention and/or six symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity. When considering those with this ADHD syndrome, our data show that about half of them have problems in school and at home, and 69.8% of them have at least one comorbid disorder. Compared to adolescents without any disorder and to those with other disorders, adolescents with only ADHD syndrome score significantly lower on control orientation (behavior conduct), perceived competence (academic, behavior, friendship subscales), and show lower emotional attachment to parents and peers. The results are discussed in terms of their implication for classification and intervention.