Link between poverty and ADHD

Researchers at the University of Exeter have found evidence of a link between poverty and attention defect hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children.

An analysis of more than 19,500 UK children aged 13 and under found that there was a significantly higher number of children from families living below the poverty line had been diagnosed with ADHD.

The study also found that a child with ADHD was roughly three times more likely to have parents who live in social housing than owned their own home.

There was also a rise in incidence of children with ADHD from single parent households and young parents.

Dr Ginny Russell, of the University of Exeter Medical School, who led the study, said: “There is a genetic element to ADHD, but this study provides strong evidence that ADHD is also associated with a disadvantaged social and economic background.

“Some people believe that ADHD in children causes disadvantage to the economic situation of their family, but we found no evidence to support that theory. It’s important to discover more about the causes of this disorder so that we can look towards prevention, and so that we can target treatment and support effectively.”

The data used came from the Millennium Cohort Study which follows children born between 2000 and 2002  having followed them through their early childhood the study plans to carry through to adulthood.

It covers a range of  topics including: as parenting, childcare, school choice, child behaviour and cognitive development, child and parental health, parents’ employment and education, income, as well as housing and neighbourhood.

Current Information from the study was gathered from surveys when the cohort children were nine months old, three years-old, then again at ages five, seven and 11.

The findings support those of studies previously carried out in Northern Europe, the United States and Australia – but the study is the first to show that the link between ADHD and socioeconomic status exists in the UK.