Adult ADHD
Visual Abstract
The prevalence and effects of adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) on the performance of workers: results from the WHO World Mental Health Survey Initiative
ADHD among adult workers
R de Graaf , R C Kessler, J Fayyad, M ten Have, J Alonso, M Angermeyer, G Borges, K Demyttenaere, I Gasquet, G de Girolamo, J M Haro, R Jin, E G Karam, J Ormel, J Posada-Villa
Summarized by:
April 23, 2023
study source
Occup Environ Med
Dec 2008
๐
What they studied
Researchers wanted to find out how common ADHD is among workers and how it impacts the nature of work.
๐จโ๐ฌ
What they found
Globally, 3.5% of workers have ADHD. Someone with ADHD is expected to lose 22 days of productivity per year. Blue-collar and technical workers were significantly more likely to have ADHD.
๐ก
What this means
ADHD is common, and it affects productivity. Given the low treatment rates for ADHD, better diagnosis and screening of workers may be a cost-effective way of improving productivity.
The prevalence and effects of adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) on the performance of workers: results from the WHO World Mental Health Survey Initiative
Objectives
ADHD is a common condition around the world. Previous studies have shown that it can be found in rich and poor countries. ADHD has been closely linked with difficulties in school.
But, there has been less research on the effects of ADHD in the workplace.
This study wanted to gather data on how common ADHD was among workers worldwide and how it impacts productivity and experiences at work.
Study Quote
To estimate the prevalence and workplace consequences of adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Methods
The study analyzed data from an ADHD survey administered to adults in 10 countries.
The adults were screened for ADHD symptoms and asked about their jobs.
Study Quote
An ADHD screen was administered to 18-44-year-old respondents in 10 national surveys in the WHO World Mental Health (WMH) Survey Initiative (n = 7075 in paid or self-employment; response rate 45.9-87.7% across countries). Blinded clinical reappraisal interviews were administered in the U...
Show More
Results
Researchers found that around 3.5% of adults around the world have ADHD.
This was generally in line with ADHD prevalence globally. However, researchers did find that workers had a lower rate of ADHD in the United States.
โ
The estimated prevalence of ADHD in the US is significantly lower among workers than other respondents (4.5% vs. 7.2%, ฯ21 = 5.5, p = .021).
On average, each adult lost around 22 days per year of productivity because of their ADHD symptoms.
Colombia, Italy, Lebanon, and the United States had the highest rates of ADHD among workers.
Globally, around 3.5% of workers have ADHD. On average, a worker with ADHD loses around 22 days of productivity.
Based on the survey, researchers found that certain types of workers are more likely to have ADHD.
White-collar technical workers and blue-collar workers were at least twice as likely to have ADHD.
Men, blue-collar, workers, and white-collar technical workers were all found to be significantly more likely to have ADHD compared to other workers.
Study Quote
An average of 3.5% of workers in the 10 countries were estimated to meet DSM-IV criteria for adult ADHD (inter-quartile range: 1.3-4.9%). ADHD was more common among males than females and less common among professionals than other workers. ADHD was associated with a statistically signifi...
Show More
Conclusions
The study results showed that ADHD is common among workers and can significantly impact productivity.
Many of the workers found to have ADHD didnโt know they had ADHD or werenโt being treated for it.
This suggests that treatments and screening for ADHD in workers may be cost-effective interventions.
Study Quote
ADHD is a relatively common condition among working people in the countries studied and is associated with high work impairment in these countries. This impairment, in conjunction with the low treatment rate and the availability of cost-effective therapies, suggests that ADHD would be a ...
Show More