Do Children with ADHD Earn Less and Divorce More as Adults?

Posted by in Healthcare


What happens to ADHD kids when they grow up? How does the condition affect their adult lives? If you’re a mental healthcare professional, you might be interested in a recent study by the American Psychological Association and reported in JAMA’s Archives of General Psychiatry. It revealed some of the problems encountered by adults who were diagnosed with ADHD as children.

 

The study, as surmised by a recent Reuters article, showed that some individuals became less educated, earned less and were more prone to divorce and substance abuse. "A lot of them do fine, but there is a small proportion that is in a great deal of difficulty," said Rachel Klein, a professor of child and adolescent psychiatry at New York University Langone Medical Center in New York. Klein noted that this troubled segment of former ADHD individuals will have a tendency to end up in jail or in the hospital. As is well known, children with ADHD are restless, impulsive and easily distracted. 

 

The study (the most exhaustive to date) followed 135 white men who had shown hyperactive tendencies as children in the 1970s, and who had subsequently been referred to Klein's hospital. Researchers noted that the children were not aggressive or antisocial, and that they came from middle-class homes with “well meaning” parents. When the men were interviewed at 41 years of age, researchers found that those with childhood ADHD left school 2.5 years earlier and had reached salaries well below those without ADHD—$93,000 vs. $175,000. Roughly one-third had been in jail at some point—a tripling of those in the comparison group.

 

Klein notes that childhood ADHD can be a risk factor in leading kids and teens to use drugs, engage in criminal activity and experiment with similar antisocial behaviors. Estimates by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that three to seven percent of U.S. school-age children have ADHD. Klein notes that less than half of these children will encounter permanent problems.

 

J. Russell Ramsay, who studies ADHD at the University of Pennsylvania's Perelman School of Medicine, noted that these adults can still lead normal lives, based on the severity and complexity of their disorder. "We are not talking about awful outcomes necessarily," said Ramsay. "This is sort of a reminder to pay attention to the unique needs of the child, the educational environment and the home environment." Researchers noted that the findings underscore the importance of long-term monitoring and treatment of ADHD children.

 

How do women fare who were diagnosed with ADHD as girls? The researchers indicated that the same conclusions can’t be applied to women—nor to any ethnic and social groups—since only white men of average intelligence were included in the study.

 

photo courtesy of MorgueFile.com

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  • Sandra N
    Sandra N
    As an adult woman with ADHD It's frustrating that women aren't included in research.  I learned I had it when I was 50. Now 68 it's affects still drive me crazy.  Please consider using me in your research,
  • Candace W
    Candace W
    At the age of 55, I was diagnosed with ADHD by a Nationally Certified School Psychologist, with a PhD in Educational Psychology. It was a tearful watershed moment of gratitude. I now am able to understand my life and the dynamics of my family of origin.  I have been able to forgive my parents for the neglect and chaos of my childhood.  I have been able to forgive myself and my siblings for pain and grief we inflicted on each other. I and all my siblings had access to free, unlimited university enrollment.  We were disabled by distractions, inability to stay focused, and/or depression.  A significant amount of depression is almost guaranteed when a person is not able to thrive.  It is almost impossible to have a good self-esteem when you fail to live up to your potential, let yourself and others down.  I’m the only one to finish high school or college.  I became the only self supporting adult-child, and college graduate at 42.  My brothers suffered consequences more severely my sisters.  There are criminal activities, alcohol and drug addictions, arrests, illegitimate children, broken homes. All of us were impulsive and engaged in dangerous behavior.  There were a lot of needless injuries. Two brothers have severe brain injuries caused by “accidents;” (the inability to pay attention, and impulsive actions.)  They each are permanently disabled. My father developed copping mechanisms which helped him reach his career potential and earn his PhD at 50.  Rather than reveal his true age, he forged the date on his birth certificate to make himself seem younger for his career dream job.  He wanted to appear to be in the right age range for his personal and professional development.  He had a lot of secrets and was fearful of being found out.  To help conceal his age, he got one of the early facelifts that I had ever heard of.  He lived in fear that he would be found out and be let go of..The third generation; our children, are having the same difficulties.  I am able to see very well the meaning of “The sins of the father shall be visited upon the sons
  • Alex Kecskes
    Alex Kecskes
    Thank you for your comments. They shed more light on a difficult subject.
  • suzanne v
    suzanne v
    I found this very informative and quite accurate. I have first-hand experience with children and adults with ADHD.
  •  Tracy R
    Tracy R
    I can absolutley agree my son is one of these children who is soon to be 20 years old in january. And his symptons have increased dramaticly.
  • Kelly C
    Kelly C
    ADHD or not has no factor in regards to criminal behavior, drugs/ addictions. It's a choice you make everyday on how your going to be. I've never been tested and I'm a 49 year old woman. With the right environment anyone can lead a productive lifestyle. Presenting many negatives will sometimes lead to behaviors but then again doesn't mean we are going to lead or do negative things. In a nut shell I know kids have ADHD if you must label them...high strung kids we have because there's no outlet for them. It's our environment, our lifestyles, the kids don't have the problems we do.
  • Alex Kecskes
    Alex Kecskes
    Thanks for sharing your experience, Sharon.
  • Sharon M
    Sharon M
    I have AD, I found out when I was in my middle 40's. I take Vyance. I found that I could complete more tasks and remember more. I know I was and am missing many skill sets I could have experienced if I didn't have AD. I am now 62 years of age;  I have gone back to school and got my associate degree. When it was first determined I was AD; the Dr. told me I was the highest functioning AD patient he had seen. I have no opinion on your article. I just wanted you to know what my experience as a AD women. You were talking about girls being diagnosed. I wasn't. So I don't know how I fit in your study?!
  • Alex Kecskes
    Alex Kecskes
    Parents have a huge influence on how kids turn out. The more they understand about ADHD, the better equipped they will be as parents to deal with their special children.
  • cindy schmidt
    cindy schmidt
    my son is ADHD and I don't think that is true that most kids will experiment with drugs and criminal activities. As long as the parent makes sure that it is wrong to do those things I think the child who has ADHD will make something of themselves. It is the parents responsibility to make sure their child is doing well and stays out of trouble.
  • Patricia  Horton, Ph.D.
    Patricia  Horton, Ph.D.
    I have "specialized" in working with adults with AD/HD for years in my practice -- to help adolscents/teens realize that there are POSITIVEs to having ADHD -- but to also realize that it is a CHALLENGE because most people do not understand how your brain works.  I have worked with couples where one of them has ADHD/ADD and education has saved many marriages.  Some of the most "inventive" and creative people in the world have ADHD.  Dr. Horton
  • Barbara LaRose
    Barbara LaRose
    Many people suffer problems today.Everyone wants to label people with something. What's normal in our crazy mixed world today. some people with very high IQ"S have mental problems left unidentified for years.'
  • Heather H
    Heather H
    This has been a bothering concern for me. I have 2 children with ADHD but my son is worse than my daughter, for my son has other disorders that impair him more and his ADHD does not make it any easier for him. He is very strong minded and a very determined and loving boy, who I have faith in that he will grow up to be a wonderful young man!
  • Glenn D
    Glenn D
    Study looks seriously flawed. Small numbers and a control group with avg salary $175k as normal...really? and 93k avg is "Bad"? Previous studies I've seen show ADD individuals with above average IQ and The best fit careers include MD and aircraft pilot. ADHD certainly has additional challenges beyond ADD still the conclusions seem over generalized and sensationalized probably to ensure publication. We need to focus on the extraordinary potential ADD and ADHD individuals have over the "Normal" citizen to guide them to their best fit in society and above average potential contribution.
  • Ashley D
    Ashley D
    Hello,My daughter is 26 years old with 3 childrens.  She suffers from depression and forgets alot.  These is very impulsive and angry most of the time.  She has no help from the childrens father. They all live with me and my husband and it is very stressful.  My husband thinks she is a very disrepectful child and should be put out.  My thoughts are entirely different.  I think with coaching and positiveness she can be successful.  Even though she struggles there is hope for her to have a life and career.
  •  Christine G
    Christine G
    Having worked extensively with ADHD children, it is important to emphasize that these children white and of average intelligence and were from middle-class, "well meaning" parents. These are all culturally favorable traits, which the majority of ADHD children I have seen do not have these advantages.
  • Nagamani B
    Nagamani B
    very important study. I suggest that study should include females as well, since they are responsible for caring for their own children in future. It is also known ADHD affects the  off springs of the affected individuals. It is also important to study those who are treated as children have less problems with their own children.Thank you for your studyBeligere. N
  • Esther W
    Esther W
    Dear Lavvon O.     Get Help    - My son has ADHD, Mood Disorder, +, and at 13 I new I had a small window of time to help him change! We are currently pleased with the positive changes at Ohio Wilderness Boys Camp, an 18 month program for struggling families.  You can afford the cost-minimal / you can't afford to do nothing. I felt he was not demonstrating any real ability for self care, self control, managing small tasks, cooperation or caring. I didn't think he would be successful in a job or a relationship. This program works!! It will change the rest of all our lives. Making a difference one day at a time. Esther
  • Gary C
    Gary C
    I am 55 years old.I was diagnosed earlier this year with A.D.H.D.I also have previously 2 kidney Transplants.Both operations and outcomes have been highly successful and future prognosis on second Kidney Transplant is excellent.I run 10 miles every other day in 99 minutes flat,I also lift weights.The only problem I am having is locating a decent career to end my working life that will lead me to retirement.After 3 years beyond a successful Kidney Transplant In New York State I was stripped of my Disability Compensation and Medicare striped away until such time I  reach Kidney Failure if this occurs at all.I just recently got married for a second time.My wife was diagnosed years ago with A.D.D. and me A.D.H.D.We both receive Pshyciatric counseling now.We struggle to keep working on our own issues.We both love,care and fully respect each other.My wife receives a state pension but I lost all my Disability benefits and have no income at all.I plan to contact The Disability Advocates for Schenectady,New York.I am looking now for seasonal employment with hopes of retaining a full time position after the holiday season.
  • Misty W
    Misty W
    ADHD, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, is a disorder that happens to be very misunderstood by a lot of people. Some people think that our children are "bad" and are labeled! With some positive attention and understanding ADHD can be controlled and not so intolerable! I am so glad that the study is being performed and hope that there will be something new that will help.
  • Kinshasa D
    Kinshasa D
    Both of my step-children (both boys) have ADHD. My youngest son is Autistic, but my oldest son is not. He struggles in school a lot. I just want him to help his self-reach the goal of regular classes. So he can get his diploma and not a certificate. He is in 8th grade, but is still learning on a 2nd grade level. What would this mean for his future?
  • Kathy W
    Kathy W
    I'm very proud of my daughter who was diagnosed with ADHD. We elected not to put her on RIdalin and tried improving her diet. Today she has a Phd in Medicinal Chemistry.It can be done.
  • Jeanne D
    Jeanne D
    Not having been diagnosed with ADHD due to the fact that they had not come up with that diagnosis when I started school.  I suffered my whole life from its symptoms.  I had to work harder at education and preforming my job.  In fact, I am sure that I have lost jobs due to having had this condition.  I am only hopeful that others get proper attention early on.  Not necessarily meaning medications.  
  • John L
    John L
    As an adult who had ADHD tendencies as a child, I find this enlightening.  While I did attain a doctorate and earned a good salary, I did share many of the adulthood problems mentioned here. I am from the 50's which was before the Ritalin era.  My symptoms were treated with discipline rather than medication.  Jerome reflects many of my feelings on the subject.
  • Judith D
    Judith D
    I would be very interested in more research facts regarding adults diagnosed with ADHD as children. It seems the reported percentage of children with ADHD in schools today is quite low compared to the number that are receiving ADHD medication in schools that would be considered largely middle class.

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