Attention-deficit and Hyperactivity among School-age United Arab Emirates Children

The prevalence of ADHD was studied among 200 UAE school-age children. Variables that distinguish ADHD and non-ADHD children were examined, including child characteristics, parents’ sociodemographics, socioeconomic status, family environment, and parental style of influence. Results indicated that 12.5 % of the children had ADHD symptomatology, and that the prevalence ratio varied across the three ADHD subtypes, with the following rates; 1.5 % for the combined type, 7.5 % for the inattentive type, and 3.5 % for the hyperactive-impulsive type. The results of the logistic regressions indicated that ADHD inattentive type was positively associated with gender, and harsh discipline. Children with ADHD inattentive type were predominately males and were more likely to experience harsh disciplining compared to children without ADHD. On the other hand, none of the child characteristics, parent’s sociodemographics, family environment and parenting were significant predictors of ADHD hyperactivity-impulsivity type. The clinical and policy implications of the findings are discussed.