ADHD Questions
ADHD Risk Factors
Does socioeconomic status affect ADHD?
Charles Li, MD
April 20, 2023
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ADHD is more common in wealthier countries. Within developed countries, ADHD is more common in lower-income families with less educational attainment.
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Those with ADHD may have more difficulties affecting their socioeconomic status, including challenges staying employed, graduating from school, and maintaining relationships.
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Getting treated for ADHD and maintaining a healthy lifestyle can potentially offset many of the adverse effects of ADHD.
ADHD is more prevalent in wealthy countries
On a global scale, there is a clear link between ADHD and income. One study that conducted a standardized survey across multiple countries and continents found thatwealthy countries had a significantly higher rate of ADHD than poorer countries.
Generally, ADHD rates are similar globally—income is one of the most significant predictive factors of ADHD risk.
A study of ADHD in different countries found that higher income countries tended to have more ADHD than lower income countries.
ADHD risk vs. socioeconomic status in developed countries
In developed countries, children in families of lower socioeconomic status have a higher risk of developing ADHD.
One study found that the most significant predictive factors for ADHD were the family's income and the parents' education.
Children growing up in low-income households or with parents who did not graduate from high school had 4 to 6 times the risk of developing ADHD.
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): Interaction between socioeconomic status and parental history of ADHD determines the prevalence
Interestingly, this link only applied to families where parents did not have ADHD.
If one or both parents have ADHD, the data shows that the child's risk of ADHD is elevated, regardless of socioeconomic status.
The authors did note that these results are consistent with previous studies that have linked ADHD and socioeconomic status.
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This study detected a higher prevalence of ADHD among socioeconomically disadvantaged groups, a finding that concurs with results from a wide range of other studies
Socioeconomic Risk Factors for ADHD
Another study in the UK did a deeper analysis of specific socioeconomic risk factors linked with ADHD risk.
Growing up in a single-family household was the most potent risk factor for ADHD, followed by low income.
Some socioeconomic factors were linked with a lower risk of ADHD. If the parents owned a home or the mother graduated from college, a child’s risk of ADHD was cut by more than half.
Children from low-income and single-parent households are at a higher risk of developing ADHD. Children with college-educated mothers have half the chance.
The negative socioeconomic consequences of ADHD
Lower socioeconomic status has been linked with developing ADHD; meanwhile, having ADHD negatively affects socioeconomic status.
One study that looked at the unemployed and previously married found that those who were unemployed or divorced had a much higher risk of having ADHD.
This result suggests that those with ADHD often struggle with keeping jobs and keeping relationships, a link that has been confirmed in other studies.
Many who had ADHD in the study did not receive treatment for ADHD. ADHD is a treatable condition. However, it is often underdiagnosed and under-treated.
It is possible that if the study participants had been treated for ADHD, they might have ended up with better outcomes.
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One striking implication of the high overall comorbidity is that many people with adult ADHD are in treatment for other mental or substance use disorders but not for ADHD. The 10% of respondents diagnosed with ADHD who had received treatment for adult ADHD is much lower than the rates for anxiety, mood, or substance use disorders
Protecting against negative outcomes of ADHD
Beyond getting tested and treated for ADHD, there are other ways to potentially protect yourself against some of the negative consequences of ADHD.
Generally, ADHD has been linked with a significant reduction in life expectancy.
One study found, however, that those who graduated from high school and those who exercised and slept well had much better outcomes than others with ADHD.
Hyperactive Child Syndrome and Estimated Life Expectancy at Young
Adult Follow-Up: The Role of ADHD Persistence and Other Potential Predictors
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These results provide insight into the reasons ELE may be reduced in those with ADHD-C. They also suggest avenues by which ELE could be improved via interventions.
Key takeaways
Strong evidence links socioeconomic status and ADHD, particularly household income and parental education.
Those with ADHD may also have a higher risk of divorce and unemployment, impacting socioeconomic status as they mature into adults.
The good news, however, is that ADHD is treatable, and there are lifestyle adjustments that we can make to protect ourselves against the adverse outcomes of ADHD.
Children can’t control where they come from. However, their choices later in life can dramatically increase their odds of recovery and the impact of ADHD on their lives.