Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Symptoms and Nonsuicidal Self-Injury among Clinically-Referred Children and Youth

Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI; direct and deliberate damage of bodily tissue) is a widespread concern among clinically-referred youth. Individuals with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) may be at increased risk for NSSI engagement; however, ADHD consists of heterogeneous symptomatology, and there may be differential risk based on varying symptomatology. The current study investigated differential risk for NSSI engagement associated with selected hyperactive/impulsive symptoms and inattentive symptoms in a sample of 1006, 8-18-year-old children/youth from Ontario, Canada. The Children and Youth Mental Health Assessment (ChYMH) was used to collect all measures at intake into clinical care. Three binary logistic regression analyses were conducted to assess the predictive ability of selected hyperactivity/impulsivity symptoms, selected inattentive symptoms and a combination in predicting NSSI. Only the hyperactivity/impulsivity symptoms were significantly predictive of NSSI engagement over and above age, sex, anxiety symptoms and social disengagement. The results are discussed in the context of implications for prevention/intervention.M.A