title: Adult ADHD Among NSW Prisoners: Prevalence and Psychiatric Comorbidity.
abstract: Given the paucity of research among prisoners, this study aimed to examine the prevalence and psychiatric comorbidity associated with adult ADHD.
  
  
  
  The study was conducted at four NSW correctional facilities (2 male; 2 female).
  
  
  
  Thirty-five percent of the sample screened positive for adult ADHD, and 17% of the sample met criteria for a full diagnosis. After adjustment, benzodiazepine dependence, borderline personality disorder, social phobia, antisocial personality disorder, and a number of lifetime psychological disorders remained significantly and independently associated with the diagnosis of adult ADHD. Lowering the threshold on the ADHD Self-Rating Scale to ≥3 (vs. ≥4) increased the sensitivity (80%-93%), but lowered the specificity (55%-47%).
  
  
  
  Adult ADHD among NSW prisoners is elevated, with substance use disorders and psychiatric comorbidity common. A greater acceptance of this disorder among prisoners, and appropriate treatment, is warranted.
authors.affiliation: Justice and Forensic Mental Health Network, Pagewood, Australia University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia emoore1311@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.affiliation: Justice and Forensic Mental Health Network, Ermington, Australia.
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sunjic
authors.affiliation: University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Sharlene
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kaye
authors.affiliation: Justice and Forensic Mental Health Network, Pagewood, Australia.
authors.forename: Vicki
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Archer
authors.affiliation: Justice and Forensic Mental Health Network, Pagewood, Australia University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Devon
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Indig
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000987:Antisocial Personality Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009517:New South Wales / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D011329:Prisoners / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011330:Prisons; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology
keywords: ADHD; adult; comorbidity; prison; psychiatric disorder; substance use disorders