INTRODUCTION: Individuals with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are overrepresented in the criminal justice system, and children and youth with ADHD are at increased risk of engaging in rule-breaking and delinquent behaviors. This study investigated associations between ADHD in childhood and criminal justice involvement in adolescence and young adulthood. METHODS: Data were from the Future of Families and Child Wellbeing Study, a longitudinal U.S. population-based birth cohort study (n=2,733) that randomly sampled births in large U.S. cities in 1998-2000. ADHD diagnosis and use of prescribed ADHD medication were reported at age 15, while criminal justice involvement was reported at age 22. Logistic regression models estimated associations between ADHD and criminal justice involvement. Data were analyzed in 2025. RESULTS: Childhood ADHD was significantly associated with higher odds of juvenile justice system involvement (AOR adjusted odds ratio =1.77, p<.01), being arrested (before and after age 18), charged with a crime after age 18, and incarcerated after age 18. However, childhood ADHD was not significantly associated with being stopped by police at age ≥15. AORs remained statistically significant after adjusting for both sociodemographic characteristics and medication use. CONCLUSIONS: Childhood ADHD is significantly associated with criminal justice involvement in adolescence and young adulthood. Findings suggest an important opportunity for early intervention to prevent a trajectory toward criminal behavior.
Casseus et al. (Tue,) studied this question.