TITLE:
The Connections between Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Levels of Criminal Behavior among Adults
AUTHORS:
Amanda George
KEYWORDS:
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Brown Attention-Deficit Disorder Scales (BADDS), Gestalt and Feature-Intensive Processing Theory, Psychological Inventory of Criminal Thinking Styles (PICTS)
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Social Sciences,
Vol.10 No.2,
February
10,
2022
ABSTRACT: Grounded in the Gestalt versus feature intensive processing theory, the
purpose of this quantitative non-experimental study was to investigate if higher levels of ADHD symptoms
result in higher levels of criminal thinking or reasoning, whether gender
influences levels of criminal thinking when controlling for levels of ADHD
symptoms, and whether higher levels of ADHD symptoms correlate with higher
numbers of incarcerations across the general adult population. A total of 93
participants completed the surveys. Results showed statistical significance
across all three research questions, meaning higher levels of ADHD symptoms did
correlate with higher criminal thinking, gender influenced levels of criminal
thinking when controlling for levels of ADHD symptoms, and higher ADHD symptoms
did correlate with number of incarcerations. The significant rate of ADHD
symptoms within forensic populations would warrant further investigation into
programs to assess inmates for ADHD to provide adequate psychiatric support for
inmates and address female populations more adequately. This current study
contributed to positive social change by addressing some gaps in the literature
regarding levels of ADHD and levels of
criminal thinking, gender and ADHD, and ADHD and rate of incarcerations.
Positive social change can come from further research to develop better assessments,
interventions, and training.