Karin Sonnby1, Cecilia Åslund, Jerzy Leppert, Kent W Nilsson. 1. Centre for Clinical Research, Uppsala University, Central Hospital, 721 89 Västerås, and The Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Unit, Central Hospital, 721 89 Västerås, Sweden. karin.sonnby@ltv.se
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Symptoms of either attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or depression constitute the most common reasons for contact with child and adolescent psychiatry. The development of psychiatric symptoms can be explained by a combination of environmental stress events and genetic vulnerability. One common form of environmental stress with high impact on health is sexual abuse. AIMS: To investigate the prevalence and co-occurrence of symptoms of ADHD and depression in relation to experiences of sexual abuse in a large adolescent general population. METHOD: All 15- and 18-year-old students (n = 4910) in the Swedish county of Vestmanland answered a school-based screening instrument including the six-question ADHD self-rating scale (ASRS), the Depression Self-Rating Scale (DSRS) and questions relating to experiences of sexual abuse. RESULTS: The prevalence of co-occurring symptoms of ADHD and depression was 2.4% (boys 1.0%, girls 3.9%). The prevalence of experience of any sexual abuse was 20.9% (boys 13.3%, girls 28.7%). Of those with co-occurring symptoms, 48% of the boys and 47% of the girls reported a history of sexual abuse. CONCLUSIONS: School-based screening for co-occurring symptoms of ADHD and depression might be a method that identifies students at psychiatric and psychosocial risk.
BACKGROUND: Symptoms of either attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or depression constitute the most common reasons for contact with child and adolescent psychiatry. The development of psychiatric symptoms can be explained by a combination of environmental stress events and genetic vulnerability. One common form of environmental stress with high impact on health is sexual abuse. AIMS: To investigate the prevalence and co-occurrence of symptoms of ADHD and depression in relation to experiences of sexual abuse in a large adolescent general population. METHOD: All 15- and 18-year-old students (n = 4910) in the Swedish county of Vestmanland answered a school-based screening instrument including the six-question ADHD self-rating scale (ASRS), the Depression Self-Rating Scale (DSRS) and questions relating to experiences of sexual abuse. RESULTS: The prevalence of co-occurring symptoms of ADHD and depression was 2.4% (boys 1.0%, girls 3.9%). The prevalence of experience of any sexual abuse was 20.9% (boys 13.3%, girls 28.7%). Of those with co-occurring symptoms, 48% of the boys and 47% of the girls reported a history of sexual abuse. CONCLUSIONS: School-based screening for co-occurring symptoms of ADHD and depression might be a method that identifies students at psychiatric and psychosocial risk.
Authors: Kent W Nilsson; Karin Sonnby; Niklas Nordquist; Erika Comasco; Jerzy Leppert; Lars Oreland; Rickard L Sjöberg Journal: Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry Date: 2013-07-04 Impact factor: 4.785
Authors: Catalina Torres Soler; Sofia H Kanders; Susanne Olofsdotter; Sofia Vadlin; Cecilia Åslund; Kent W Nilsson Journal: Genes (Basel) Date: 2022-07-13 Impact factor: 4.141
Authors: Charlotta Hellström; Philippe Wagner; Kent W Nilsson; Jerzy Leppert; Cecilia Åslund Journal: Ups J Med Sci Date: 2017-04-24 Impact factor: 2.384