The Effects of Family Transitions on Depressive Symptoms: Differences among Young Adults with and without Childhood Symptoms of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. (November 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kroeger, Rhiannon A.; Umberson, Debra; Powers, Daniel A.; Forrest, Danequa L.
• Is Part Of: Society and mental health. Volume 10:Number 3(2020:Nov.)
• Page Start: 237
• Page End: 256
• Publication Date: 2020-11
• Subjects: attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder -- ADHD -- depression -- coresidential unions -- parenthood; Social psychiatry -- Periodicals; Community Psychiatry -- Periodicals; Mental illness -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; Mental health -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; Mental health services -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; 362.205
• DOI: 10.1177/2156869319859402
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2156-8693

Abstract

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is tied to higher levels of depression, but the social factors that shape these associations are not well understood. This study considers whether family transitions affect depressive symptoms differently for young adults with and without childhood symptoms of ADHD at subthreshold or diagnostic levels. Between-within regression analysis of nationally representative longitudinal survey data shows that transitions into cohabitation and parenthood affect depressive symptoms differently for young adults with and without childhood symptoms of ADHD. Specifically, within-person effects indicate that transitions into cohabitation and parenthood are tied to decreases in depressive symptoms, but only for young adults without childhood symptoms of ADHD. In contrast, transitions into marriage are tied to decreases in depressive symptoms, and transitions out of coresidential unions are tied to increases in depressive symptoms, regardless of childhood symptoms of ADHD. The results suggest that some family transitions may work to widen ADHD disparities in depression, underscoring the importance of family contexts for shaping mental health throughout the life course.