| dc.description.abstract | This study examined the prevalence of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in a non-clinical sample of 271 college students, as well as the relationship between drug use and symptoms of ADHD. A psychological adjustment scale was administered to determine how many subjects showed ADHD symptoms in 2 settings (home and work) according to the DSM-IV criteria. The measure was broken down into six scales: Hyperactivity, Inattention, Impulsivity, Aggression, Anxiety, and Emotional problems. Also, a drug use measure was given to determine drug use within a life time and within the last six months. Results found that only two subjects met DSM-IV criteria for ADHD while 24 met criteria in at least one setting. Of these 24, only five claimed to have been possibly diagnosed with ADHD in childhood. Thus, this study does not support a high prevalence of ADHD among adults. Furthermore, subjects with previous diagnosis showed higher frequencies of Hyperactivity, Inattention, and Impulsivity. It also seems that a previous diagnosis was a better predictor of drug use than self-reported symptoms. Significant correlations were found between Aggression and alcohol and between Impulsivity and alcohol, caffeine, and cigarette use. However, multiple regressions showed that Impulsivity, rather than Aggression was significant, correlating with both alcohol and caffeine use. | en |
