Citation

Meza JI, Owens EB, Hinshaw SP. Dev. Psychopathol. 2020; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2020, Cambridge University Press)

DOI

10.1017/S0954579420000553

PMID

32536361

Abstract

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is associated with self-harm during adolescence and young adulthood, especially among females. Yet little is known about the developmental trajectories or childhood predictors/moderators of self-harm in women with and without childhood histories of ADHD. We characterized lifetime risk for nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI), suicidal ideation (SI), and suicide attempts (SA), comparing female participants with (n = 140) and without (n = 88) childhood ADHD. We examined theory-informed childhood predictors and moderators of lifetime risk via baseline measures from childhood. First, regarding developmental patterns, most females with positive histories of lifetime self-harm engaged in such behaviors in adolescence yet desisted by adulthood. Females with positive histories of self-harm by late adolescence emanated largely from the ADHD-C group. Second, we found that predictors of NSSI were early externalizing symptoms, overall executive functioning, and father's negative parenting; predictors of SI were adverse childhood experiences and low self-esteem; and predictors of SA were early externalizing symptoms, adverse childhood experiences, and low self-esteem. Third, receiver operating characteristics analyses helped to ascertain interactive sets of predictors.

FINDINGS indicate that pathways to self-harm are multifaceted for females with ADHD. Understanding early childhood predictors and moderators of self-harm can inform both risk assessment and intervention strategies.

Language: en

Keywords

development; risk factors; women; self-harm; ADHD