[Contribution of psychosocial risk factors for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder].
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the contribution of psychosocial risk factors for the diagnosis of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).


METHODS
This is a retrospective, case-control study that analyzed 403 pupils from a public elementary school. DSM-IV symptom questionnaire and a specific psychosocial questionnaire were filled out, and a history and complete physical and neurological examinations were performed.


RESULTS
The most statistically significant psychosocial risk factor was "marital discord in the past" (odds ratio = 11.66, p = 0.044). A total of 29 murders of subjects' close relatives were observed, and this variable was statistically relevant.


CONCLUSIONS
Children that were exposed to marital discord in the past between parents underwent a 11.66-fold increase in the risk of ADHD diagnosis. Authors suggest that exposure to community violence be included among Rutters's indicators of adversity, which predispose infants and children to the future occurrence of ADHD and other neuropsychiatric disorders.
Vasconcelos
Marcio M
MM
Hospital Universitário Antônio Pedro, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, RJ, Brazil. mmvascon@centroin.com.br
Malheiros
Ana Flávia de A
AF
Werner
Jairo
J
Brito
Adriana R
AR
Barbosa
Jane Bardawil
JB
Santos
Italo S Oliveira
IS
Lima
Daniel Fampa N
DF
D000293:Adolescent; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D017579:Domestic Violence / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires