Disentangling the Associations Between Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Child Sexual Abuse: A Systematic Review
Date
2021
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Trauma, Violence, & Abuse
Abstract
Background: An association between child sexual abuse (CSA) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has been
documented. However, the temporal relationship between these problems and the roles of trauma-related symptoms or other
forms of maltreatment remain unclear. This review aims to synthesize available research on CSA and ADHD, assess the
methodological quality of the available research, and recommend future areas of inquiry. Methods: Studies were searched in five
databases including Medline and PsycINFO. Following a title and abstract screening, 151 full texts were reviewed and 28 were
included. Inclusion criteria were sexual abuse occurred before 18 years old, published quantitative studies documenting at least a
bivariate association between CSA and ADHD, and published in the past 5 years for dissertations/theses, in French or English. The
methodological quality of studies was systematically assessed. Results: Most studies identified a significant association between
CSA and ADHD; most studies conceptualized CSA as a precursor of ADHD, but only one study had a longitudinal design. The
quality of the studies varied greatly with main limitations being the lack of (i) longitudinal designs, (ii) rigorous multimethod/
multiinformant assessments of CSA and ADHD, and (iii) control for two major confounders: trauma-related symptoms and other
forms of child maltreatment. Discussion: Given the lack of longitudinal studies, the directionality of the association remains
unclear. The confounding role of other maltreatment forms and trauma-related symptoms also remains mostly unaddressed.
Rigorous studies are needed to untangle the association between CSA and ADHD.
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Keywords
child sexual abuse, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, research, review, International Resources, Canada
Citation
Langevin, R., Marshall, C., Wallace, A., Gagné, M. E., Kingsland, E., & Temcheff, C. (2021). Disentangling the Associations Between Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Child Sexual Abuse: A Systematic Review. Trauma, Violence, & Abuse, 15248380211030234.