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Review
. 2015 Jan;45(2):247-58.
doi: 10.1017/S0033291714000762. Epub 2014 Apr 7.

A meta-analysis of the prevalence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in incarcerated populations

S Young  1 , D Moss  2 , O Sedgwick  3 , M Fridman  4 , P Hodgkins  5
Affiliations
Free PMC article
Review

A meta-analysis of the prevalence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in incarcerated populations

S Young et al. Psychol Med. 2015 Jan.
Free PMC article

Abstract

Background: Studies report the variable prevalence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in incarcerated populations. The aim of this meta-analysis was to determine the prevalence of ADHD in these populations.

Method: Primary research studies reporting the prevalence (lifetime/current) of ADHD in incarcerated populations were identified. The meta-analysis used a mixed log-binomial model, including fixed effects for each covariate and a random study effect, to estimate the significance of various risk factors.

Results: Forty-two studies were included in the analysis. ADHD prevalence was higher with screening diagnoses versus diagnostic interview (and with retrospective youth diagnoses versus current diagnoses). Using diagnostic interview data, the estimated prevalence was 25.5% and there were no significant differences for gender and age. Significant country differences were noted.

Conclusions: Compared with published general population prevalence, there is a fivefold increase in prevalence of ADHD in youth prison populations (30.1%) and a 10-fold increase in adult prison populations (26.2%).

Keywords: ADHD; crime; diagnosis; incarcerated; offender; prevalence; prison.

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Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.
Flow diagram of the manual screening process for eligible literature inclusion. ADHD, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Fig. 2.
Fig. 2.
Observed attention deficit hyperactivity disorder prevalence per study stratum by age group (youths ⩽18 years and adults >18 years) and gender showing all data (42 studies, 61 strata) and interview diagnosis (Dx) strata (21 studies, 30 strata). Each bubble/square in the plot represents a study stratum. Bubble/square areas are proportional to stratum sample size. The numbers of study strata per column are shown in parentheses.
Fig. 3.
Fig. 3.
Model-predicted attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) prevalence by country (model 2: diagnostic interview only). a Upper bounds of 95% confidence intervals (CIs) are truncated to 1.0.
Fig. 4.
Fig. 4.
Model-predicted attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) prevalence by gender group and age groups (youths ⩽18 years and adults >18 years; model 2: diagnostic interview only). CI, Confidence interval.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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