Caregiver depression and medication use by youths with ADHD who receive services in the public sector.
OBJECTIVE
This study examined caregiver depression and medication use by youths with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in the public sector.


METHODS
Multivariate logistic regression models were created for 390 youths six to 17 years of age who met ADHD criteria on the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children (DISC) and were enrolled in a prospective study of youths served in public-sector service systems. The dependent variable was caregiver report of youth medication use for ADHD in the 12 months before the 24-month interview.


RESULTS
Only 38% of youths with DISC diagnoses of ADHD were using medication. Youths whose caregivers had depression (41% of the sample) were half as likely as other youths to use medication. Younger age, public insurance, caregiver report of diagnosis, and receipt of medical, mental health, or school services also predicted use.


CONCLUSIONS
Caregiver depression and its association with medication use warrant further exploration.
Leslie
Laurel K
LK
Child and Adolescent Services Research Center, Children's Hospital-San Diego, 3020 Children's Way, MC 5033, San Diego, CA 92123, USA. lleslie@casrc.org
Aarons
Gregory A
GA
Haine
Rachel A
RA
Hough
Richard L
RL
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D004358:Drug Therapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017150:Public Sector
D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants