ADHD

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity-Disorder and Human Capital: The Lives of Children, Peers, and Families

Funded by a Sapere Aude Starting Grant from The Danish Council for Independent Research, 2011-2015

Project Description

ADHD is the most common mental health problem among young children. It is well documented that individuals suffering from ADHD have much worse long-term outcomes than others. This project analyzes the interplay between ADHD, its treatment, and success in the educational system and on the labor market (human capital). We consider effects of ADHD on the individual, peers and families.

ADHD is estimated to affect about 5 % of all children; roughly one child in every classroom. Core symptoms are attention deficiencies, hyperactivity and impulsiveness and children often suffer from other behavioral problems along with depression and anxiety. Hence, ADHD seriously affects one’s capabilities in terms of interacting with others and therefore most likely also success elsewhere.

Several randomized controlled studies document that pharmacological treatment is effective in reducing core symptoms. More rarely investigated are the links between ADHD, pharmacological treatment, and human capital. Also, little is known about the effects of school environments, possibly in combination with pharmacological treatment. Furthermore, it is plausible that not only the child himself is affected by his condition and its treatment; effects may also extend to peers (in the classroom) and family (siblings and parents). Very little research investigates how ADHD influences the lives of peers and families. This project uses Danish register based data and surveys to study these questions.

Participants

Core participants:

Marianne Simonsen, Aarhus University (PI)

Søren Dalsgaard, Aarhus University

Helena Skyt Nielsen, Aarhus University

Sanni Nørgaard Breining, Aarhus University

Associated researchers/collaborators:

Jannie Grøne, CBS

Carsten Obel, Aarhus University

Nina Smith, Aarhus University

Jim Leckman, Yale

Preben Bo Mortensen, Aarhus University

Major knowledge dissemination activities

Workshop:

August 15-17, 2012: Children's Human Capital Development, http://econ.au.dk/currently/events/event-item/artikel/workshop-on-childrens-human-capital-development/.

PhD course:

August 13-15, 2012. Joe Doyle, MIT: http://econ.au.dk/currently/events/event-item/artikel/dgpe-phd-course-estimating-causal-effects-of-public-programs-with-applications-in-healthcare-and-ch/

Publications

Main articles:

(1) “The Effect of Medication on the Risk of Injuries in Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder - A Prospective Cohort Study” (Søren Dalsgaard, Jim Leckman, Helena Skyt Nielsen and Marianne Simonsen). The Lancet Psychiatry 2, 702–709

(2) “Mortality in children, adolescents, and adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: a nationwide cohort study” (Søren Dalsgaard, Søren Dinesen Østergaard, James F Leckman, Preben Bo Mortensen, Marianne Giørtz Pedersen), The Lancet 385, 2190–2196

(3) “Disruptive School Peers and Student Outcomes” (Jannie Grøne Kristoffersen, Morten Krægpøth, Helena Skyt Nielsen and Marianne Simonsen). 2015, Economics of Education Review 45, 1-13.

(4) “The presence of ADHD: Spillovers between siblings” (Sanni Breining). 2014, Economics Letters 124, 469-473.

(5) “Consequences of ADHD Medication Use for Children’s Outcomes” (Søren Dalsgaard, Helena Skyt Nielsen and Marianne Simonsen), 2014, Journal of Health Economics 37, 137-151.

(6) “The Importance of ADHD in Children for Parents’ Relationship Dissolution and Labor Supply” (Anette P. Kvist, Helena Skyt Nielsen and Marianne Simonsen), 2013, Social Science and Medicine 83, 30-38.

(7) “Relative Standards in ADHD Diagnoses: The Role of Specialist Behavior” (Søren Dalsgaard, Maria Knoth Humlum, Helena Skyt Nielsen and Marianne Simonsen), 2012, Economics Letters 117, 663-665.

(8) “Cardiovascular Safety of Stimulants in Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder - A Nationwide Prospective Cohort Study” (Søren Dalsgaard, Annette Primdahl Kvist, James Leckman, Helena Skyt Nielsen and Marianne Simonsen), 2014, Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology 24, 302-310.

(9) “Gender and Injuries Predict Stimulant Medication" (Søren Dalsgaard, Helena Skyt Nielsen, James Leckman and Marianne Simonsen), 2014, Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology 24, 253-259.

(10) “Common Danish Standards in Prescribing Medication for Children and Adolescents with ADHD” (Søren Dalsgaard, Maria Knoth Humlum, Helena Skyt Nielsen and Marianne Simonsen), 2014, European Child and Adolescent Psychiatry 23, 841-844.

(11) “Five-fold increase in National Prevalence Rates of ADHD Medications for Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Other Psychiatric Disorders – A Danish Register-based Study” (Søren Dalsgaard, Helena Skyt Nielsen, Jim Leckman and Marianne Simonsen), 2013, Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology 23, 432-439.

PhD thesis:

(A) “The Sibling Relationship Dynamics and Spillovers” (Sanni Breining), Department of Economics and Business, Aarhus University.

Spin-off papers:

(a) “Bullying in Elementary School” (Tine L. Mundbjerg Eriksen, Helena Skyt Nielsen and Marianne Simonsen), 2014, Journal of Human Resources 49, 839-871 (lead article).

(b) “Gender differences in behavioral problems and school outcomes” (Jannie H. Grøne Kristoffersen, Carsten Obel and Nina Smith). 2015, Journal of Economic Behavior and Organization 115, 75–93.

Read about the project here: Forskning der nytter (in Danish)