Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Conduct Disorder in Children of Drug Dependent Parents

BACKGROUND Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and conduct disorder are amongrelatively prevalent disorders during childhood and adolescence.Considering the negative impact of the parents' drug dependency andbipolar disorder, the present study aimed to determine the prevalence ofADHD and conduct disorder in children of drug-dependent and bipolar parents. METHODS In this case-control study, the case group included two groups ofpatients with drug dependency and bipolar disorder hospitalized inShahid Beheshti hospital in Kerman who had 7 to 11-year-old children.The control group included healthy individuals without any drugdependency or other psychiatric disorders. Data were collected usingRutter scale Form A (parents' form) and a demographic questionnaire.Data were analyzed with ANOVA, Chi-square and Tamhane's post-hoc test. FINDINGS Rutter's abnormal scores were generally 7.11% in children of drugdependent parents, 14% in children of bipolar parents and 1.6% in childrenof healthy parents demonstrating no significant difference. The frequencyof conduct disorder in the bipolar and drug dependent group was higherthan the healthy group, but the difference was not significant. Thefrequency of ADHD was 8.9% in the drug dependency group and 1% inthe control group which shows a significant difference. CONCLUSION Drug dependency in parents may be a leading factor to mentaldisorders such as ADHD and conduct disorder in children.