ADHD Behaviors, Lifestyle, and Environment

Principal Investigator: Brooke Molina, PhD

Funding Source: National Institute on Drug Abuse

The purpose of this research study is to learn more about the treatment, behaviors, attitudes, and experiences of young adults with histories of being treated for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in pediatric primary care. The study is also examining the role of diagnosis timing – whether a first diagnosis in adulthood, versus in childhood or adolescence, is associated with these factors (treatment, behaviors, etc.).

Two groups of individuals will participate in this research study that will include over 500 young adults. One group will be 357 young adults (some still in their late teens) who received their initial diagnosis in childhood or adolescence and participated in our Teen Study. The second group will be 150 young adults aged 18-22 who were not diagnosed until age 18 or older. Participants will complete annual surveys electronically for three years. One parent will also participate once for each young adult in the study.  

This project will provide an important opportunity to understand the implications of the timing of diagnosis and treatment of ADHD in two extremely important segments of the population – those diagnosed in young adulthood and those treated in primary care.