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The relationship between ADHD symptomatology and self-harm, suicidal ideation, and suicidal behaviours in adults: a pilot study

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ADHD Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorders

Abstract

The aim of this study was to explore whether individuals with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are at risk of harm over the lifespan due to increased rates of self-harm, suicidal ideation and suicidal behaviour, and whether this association is mediated by psychosocial factors. Sixty-six adults (43 men, 23 women; 18–65 years) participated in this study involving clinical interview and retrospective self-report measures of ADHD symptoms, self-harm/suicidal behaviour, mental health disorders, and coping style measures. Significant associations were found between ADHD symptom severity and self-reported histories of self-harm behaviour, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempts (all p values <.05). These relationships between self-destructive behaviours and ADHD symptom severity were found to be significantly and differentially mediated by psychosocial variables (all p values <.05) including comorbidity (mood, anxiety, drug, and alcohol abuse disorders) and emotion-focussed coping style. This study suggests that linkages between self-injurious behaviour and ADHD symptomatology may be due primarily to comorbid mental health disorders and emotion-focussed coping. The identification of these mediating factors and processes may potential pathways for intervention in reducing suicide and self-harm risk amongst those with ADHD symptoms.

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Acknowledgments

This research was conducted as partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at the University of Canterbury by the first author, under the supervision of the third author. The first author would like to acknowledge the ongoing research support from the University of Canterbury. In addition, the authors would like to thank Jason Brown, Sarah-Eve Harrow, and Rachel Harrison for their help with data collection. Most importantly, we would like to thank the participants who shared their experiences with us.

Conflict of interest

The first author is a Registered Clinical Psychologist specializing in ADHD treatment. The authors report no other potential conflicts of interest. All statistical analyses were conducted by the second author.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand

    Mairin R. Taylor & Julia J. Rucklidge

  2. LightBox Psychology Services, Christchurch, New Zealand

    Mairin R. Taylor

  3. Department of Psychological Medicine, Christchurch School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Otago, PO Box 4345, Christchurch, 8140, New Zealand

    Joseph M. Boden

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  1. Mairin R. Taylor
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  2. Joseph M. Boden
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  3. Julia J. Rucklidge
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Correspondence to Joseph M. Boden.

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Taylor, M.R., Boden, J.M. & Rucklidge, J.J. The relationship between ADHD symptomatology and self-harm, suicidal ideation, and suicidal behaviours in adults: a pilot study. ADHD Atten Def Hyp Disord 6, 303–312 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12402-014-0139-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12402-014-0139-9

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