Table 1.
Sample characteristics and differences between adolescents with and without ADHD
| Total sample (N = 302) | ADHD group (n = 162) | Comparison group (n = 140) | Group differences | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| M ± SD | M ± SD | M ± SD | ||
| Age | 13.17 ± 0.40 | 13.17 ± 0.41 | 13.18 ± 0.40 | t = 0.26, p = .80 |
| Pubertal development | ||||
| Female | 3.07 ± 0.62 | 3.11 ± 0.57 | 3.05 ± 0.66 | t = 0.60, p = .55 |
| Male | 2.34 ± 0.58 | 2.31 ± 0.56 | 2.39 ± 0.61 | t = 0.86, p = .39 |
| Primary household income ($USD) | 93,073 ± 34,856 | 84,875 ± 35,864 | 102,500 ± 31,213 | t = 4.56, p < .001 |
| n (%) | n (%) | N (%) | ||
| Female | 135 (44.7) | 57 (35.2) | 78 (55.7) | X2 = 12.80, p < .001 |
| Race | X2 = 9.17, p = .06 | |||
| American Indian/Alaskan | 1 (0.3) | 1 (0.6) | 0 (0) | |
| Asian | 14 (4.6) | 4 (2.5) | 10 (7.1) | |
| Black | 16 (5.3) | 12 (7.4) | 4 (2.9) | |
| Multiracial | 24 (7.9) | 16 (9.9) | 8 (5.7) | |
| White | 247 (81.8) | 129 (79.6) | 118 (84.3) | |
| Hispanic/latinx | 14 (4.6) | 7 (4.3) | 7 (5.0) | X2 = 0.08, p = .78 |
| Highest maternal education | ||||
| High school degree or less | 14 (4.3) | 10 (6.2) | 4 (2.9) | X2 = 7.82, p = .05 |
| Partial college/vocational | 56 (18.5) | 33 (20.4) | 23 (16.4) | |
| College graduate | 126 (41.7) | 73 (45.1) | 53 (37.9) | |
| Graduate/professional degree | 106 (35.1) | 46 (28.4) | 60 (42.9) | |
| Medication use | ||||
| ADHD (any) | 96 (31.8) | 96 (59.3) | 0 (0) | X2 = 121.63, p < .001 |
| Methylphenidate | 48 (15.9) | 48 (29.6) | 0 (0) | X2 = 49.32, p < .001 |
| Amphetamineb | 47 (15.6) | 47 (29.0) | 0 (0) | X2 = 48.10, p < .001 |
| Non-stimulantc | 20 (6.6) | 20 (12.3) | 0 (0) | X2 = 18.51, p < .001 |
| Other Psychiatric (any) | 29 (9.6) | 22 (13.6) | 7 (5) | X2 = 6.37, p = .01 |
| Antidepressant | 24 (7.9) | 18 (11.1) | 6 (4.3) | X2 = 4.78, p = .03 |
| Antianxiety | 2 (0.7) | 1 (0.6) | 1 (0.7) | X2 = 0.01, p = 1.00e |
| Antipsychotic | 3 (1.0) | 3 (1.9) | 0 (0) | X2 = 2.62, p = .25b |
| Sleep (any) | 32 (10.6) | 23 (14.2) | 9 (6.4) | X2 = 4.79, p = .03 |
| Melatonin | 31 (10.3) | 22 (13.6) | 9 (6.9) | X2 = 4.17, p = .04 |
| Other sleep medication | 1 (0.3) | 1 (0.6) | 0 (0) | X2 = 0.87, p = 1.00e |
| Other psychiatric diagnosesd | 107 (35.4) | 74 (45.7) | 33 (23.6) | X2 = 16.04, p < .001 |
| Any externalizing (ODD/CD) | 41 (13.6) | 35 (21.6) | 6 (4.3) | X2 = 19.20, p < .001 |
| Any anxiety | 73 (24.2) | 46 (28.4) | 27 (19.3) | X2 = 3.40, p = .07 |
| Any depression | 24 (7.9) | 16 (9.9) | 8 (5.7) | X2 = 1.78, p = .18 |
ADHD attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, ODD/CD oppositional defiant disorder/conduct disorder, Any anxiety presence of generalized anxiety disorder, social phobia, obsessive–compulsive disorder, and/or posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Any depression presence of major depression or dysthymia
ADHD symptoms is the number of ADHD symptoms based on parent report during the diagnostic interview
Includes amphetamine and mixed amphetamine salts
Includes guanfacine, atomoxetine, and clonidine
Presence of comorbid mental health diagnosis based on parent or adolescent report (only parents were administered ODD and PTSD modules) during the diagnostic interview
Significance based on Fisher’s exact test since at least one cell had an expected count less than 5