Table 2.

Implications for Research, Practice, and Policy.

Implications for research

This review provides a thorough synthesis of the available research on associations between child sexual abuse (CSA) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) To better understand the directionality, prospective longitudinal studies are needed with validated measures, including thorough assessments of CSA and ADHD Multivariate analyses should include an examination of confounding factors

Implications for practice

The paucity of studies with strong methodological rigor makes it difficult to make definitive conclusions and clinical recommendations Practitioners should be aware of the comorbidities between CSA and ADHD; the results point to the importance of differential diagnosis and to avoid mistaking trauma symptoms for attention or behavioral problems

Implications for policy

With increased awareness of the associations between CSA and ADHD that can be obtained from future longitudinal studies, suggestions may be made regarding policy to implement programs with the aim of reducing this comorbidity