The Effects of ADHD Symptoms and Medication Use on Sleep Quality in Preadolescents

Arassi, Sabrina, College of Letters & Science, Lisdahl, Krista, Mentor, Poster Presentation, Psychology, School and College, Student

Sabrina Arassi, “The Effects of ADHD Symptoms and Medication Use on Sleep Quality in Preadolescents”
Mentor: Krista Lisdahl, Psychology
Poster #25

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurobehavioral disorder that affects about 7% of children and adolescents. Symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity can affect daily activities, including sleep. One controversy in the literature involves the impact of ADHD stimulant medications on quality of sleep. This study examined the relationship between ADHD, medication, and sleep. The sample consists of 10,438 participants (mean age: 12.33 years, 48.5% female) from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study. The Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) measures ADHD symptomatology. The Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia (KSADS) rates the likelihood of an ADHD diagnosis based on diagnostic criteria. Sleep quality was determined by The Sleep Disturbance Scale (SDS). Medications were classified as ADHD, non-ADHD, and other. An ANOVA analysis was run with the KSADS ADHD diagnosis variable (2 levels) and medications variable (3 levels) to predict the SDS variable. An ANCOVA analysis with CBCL/ADHD symptomology predicts the SDS variable for the three levels of medication use. The results found that KSADs and medication use both significantly predicted sleep disturbances (p<0.0001). For KSADS, participants not taking medications demonstrated fewer sleep disturbances than those on ADHD medications and other medications. The results also found that CBCL and medication use both significantly predicted sleep disturbances (p<0.0001). For the CBLC, participants taking non-ADHD medications experienced more sleep disturbances than those taking ADHD medications and no-medication users. The results suggest that medication use is linked with worse sleep quality in people with ADHD diagnosis. Studies addressing causation are needed, but these findings may suggest stimulant medication could be detrimental on self-reported sleep quality in youth. Additionally, research is needed to find factors that improve sleep in youth with ADHD, as it is vital for child and adolescent brain development.