Abstract

OBJECTIVES
To explore the relationship between adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) subtypes and neuropsychological functioning among U.S. soldiers.
METHODS
Deploying soldiers (N = 260) completed the World Health Organization Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) Screener. Cognitive tests, a deployment health-history questionnaire, and the post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) Checklist-Military Version were completed by subsamples of available participants.
RESULTS
The prevalence of positive ASRS screens was 10.4%. ASRS scores were correlated with PTSD avoidance (n = 63, p = 0.37, p = 0.003), hyperarousal (n = 63, p = 0.25, p = 0.047), and total PTSD scores (n = 62, p = 0.33, p = 0.009); and all six moods (e.g., anger, anxiety) scale scores (n = 110; p = -0.37 to 0.43). ASRS was also correlated with scores on the match-to-sample (n = 110, p = -0.23, p = 0.014) and emotional Stroop (n = 108, p = -0.23, p = 0.016) tasks. In addition, a differential pattern between subtypes of ADHD was noted with regard to cognitive functioning, mood, and combat stress symptomatology.
CONCLUSIONS
Although the results are preliminary given the sample size, the prevalence and comorbidities of ADHD appear to be similar among military and nonmilitary populations.

Links

Publisher Full Text

Authors

Hanson JA, Haub MD, Walker JJ, Johnston DT, Goff BS, Dretsch MN

Institution

Department of Human Nutrition, Kansas State University, 212 Justin Hall, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA.

Source

Military medicine 177:6 2012 Jun pg 655-62

MeSH

Adult
Affect
Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity
Cognition Disorders
Combat Disorders
Comorbidity
Female
Humans
Male
Military Personnel
Prevalence
Sleep
Stress, Psychological
Young Adult

Pub Type(s)

Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Language

eng

PubMed ID

22730840