2014/04/07 by Susan Young, Donald Moss, Ottilie Sedgwick +2 · 1 voice · 3 citations
Medicine · Psychology · Neuroscience · #Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder #Psychopathy, Forensic Psychiatry, Sexual Offending #Neuroethics, Human Enhancement, Biomedical Innovations
paper · pdf · doi:10.1017/s0033291714000762
openalex publication_date 2014/04/07 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
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%).