Child Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in Same-Sex Parent Families in the United States: Prevalence and Comorbidities.
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Date
2015
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Abstract
Aims: This paper presents the first population data on attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder
(ADHD) among children raised by same-sex parents with the aims 1) to test whether residence
with same-sex parents is associated with higher ADHD prevalence, and 2) to observe and assess
any clinically significant aggravators or comorbidities.
Methodology: Aggregate data for 1997-2013 from the U.S. National Health Interview Survey
yielded a representative sample of children from 207,007 households, including 512 with same-sex
parents, permitting inferential comparisons.
Results: ADHD was more than twice (OR 2.4, 95% CL 1.6-3.4) as prevalent among children with
same-sex parents than in the general population, after controlling for age, sex, ethnicity and parent
SES. Comorbidities with general emotional problems and defiance behavior were standard. ADHD
risk with same-sex parents was reduced among adopted children (OR 0.54 95% CL .27-1.1), null
in the presence of parent psychological distress, and substantially elevated in the presence of
stigmatization (OR 7.3 95% CL 1.4-38.1). In same-sex families, children with ADHD were over
seven times (OR 7.5 95% CL 1.2-46.8) more likely to suffer stigmatization due to impaired
interpersonal coping skills.
Conclusion: Diagnostic intake for ADHD should include parent sexual orientation, and treatment programs should include resources to bolster anti-victimization skills, particularly for children with
same-sex parents. Results suggest the presence of shared genetic factors for same-sex attraction
and ADHD, though more research is needed to confirm.
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Keywords
National health interview survey, same-sex parents, ADHD, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, stigmatization
Citation
Sullins D Paul. Child Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in Same-Sex Parent Families in the United States: Prevalence and Comorbidities. British Journal of Medicine and Medical Research. 2015; 6(10): 987-998.