Importance:Russia first invaded Ukraine in 2014, annexing the Crimean Peninsula and occupying parts of eastern Ukraine. On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion that is currently ongoing. Despite the chronic nature of the armed conflict, evidence of its cumulative impact on adolescent mental health since 2014 remains limited. Objective:To assess the prevalence of wartime traumatic stressors, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, depressive symptoms, and suicidality and to examine the differential associations of war exposure with adolescent mental health. Design, Setting, and Participants:The Ukraine Adolescent Mental Health Study is a repeated cross-sectional study based on 2 school surveys conducted in 2016-2017 (n = 2766) and again in 2023-2024 (n = 2720). Adolescents aged 11 to 17 years (grades 6 to 9) living in Ukraine were recruited from 2 regions: Donetsk and Kirovograd. Data were analyzed from January 13, 2025, to May 28, 2025. Exposure:First phase (2014) and second phase (2022) of the Russian invasion. Main Outcomes and Measures:Adolescents self-reported wartime traumatic stressors, PTSD symptoms, depressive symptoms, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempts using standardized tools. The association between demographic variables and wartime traumatic stressors, mental health symptoms, and suicidality were also evaluated. Results:A total of 5486 adolescent participants residing in Ukraine after 2 phases of the Russian invasion were included in the analyses, of whom 2907 (53.0%) were female; the mean (SD) age was 13.4 (1.7) years. Adolescents exposed to the second phase of the invasion experienced high levels of PTSD symptoms and depressive symptoms, with particularly high rates among adolescents who were living in the war-affected region during the first phase of the invasion (PTSD symptoms: 180 of 1122 participants [16.0%]; odds ratio, 14.08 [95% CI, 8.36-23.72]; severe depressive symptoms: 118 of 1122 participants [10.5%]; odds ratio, 4.83 [95% CI, 3.28-7.11]) compared with adolescents who had no war exposure. War exposure was associated with suicidality in all study groups. A cumulative association was observed between wartime traumatic stressors and mental health outcomes. Conclusions and Relevance:The findings of this cross-sectional study suggest that the Russian-Ukrainian war has had a psychological toll on Ukrainian adolescents, indicating long-term consequences for their mental health, resilience, and development. These findings indicate an urgent need to prioritize and scale up mental health interventions to address the needs of adolescents during the ongoing war.
Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine predictors of being a victim of bullying in adolescence. Design/methodology/approach Data come from mothers and their children who participated in the prospective longitudinal Mater-University of Queensland Study of Pregnancy and its Outcomes. The authors examine predictors of being a victim of bullying collected at the 5-year and 14-year follow-ups ( n = 2,815). Findings Adolescents (aged 14) more likely bullied were male (odds ratios [OR] = 1.93), had social attention and thought problems (OR = 1.99), performed below average in school (OR = 1.73), had later pubertal onset (OR = 3.02) and were the most overweight (OR = 1.75). Multiple risk factors elevated the likelihood of being a victim of bullying, although high numbers of false positives were observed. Originality/value Given victims of bullying are at increased risk of adverse social and health outcomes, improved identification of those most vulnerable ensures they can receive appropriate support and resources.
OBJECTIVES:This study aimed to determine whether family poverty over the early childhood, adolescent, and adult periods of the life course independently predicts experiences of intimate partner violence (IPV) in adulthood. STUDY DESIGN:This was a birth cohort study in Brisbane, Australia, with pregnant women recruited at their first booking-in visit and their children, followed up to 30 and 40 years of age. METHODS:Family income was obtained from the mother when the child was 6 months, 5 and 14 years of age. Offspring reported their own family income at 21, 30, and 40 years of age. The offspring completed the Composite Abuse Scale at 30 and 40 years. Adjusted logistic regression models are used to predict experiences of IPV at 30 (n = 2157) and 40 (n = 1438) years. RESULTS:The findings at 30 and 40 years of age are consistent. Only poverty experienced concurrently with the assessment of IPV is strongly associated. At the 40-year follow-up, family poverty predicts higher ratios of all four forms of IPV; severe combined abuse (odds ratio [OR] = 2.24, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.24, 4.05), physical abuse (OR = 3.37, 95% CI = 1.95, 5.82), emotional abuse (OR = 2.09, 95% CI = 2.58, 8.57) and harassment (OR = 4.70, 95% CI = 2.58, 8.57). CONCLUSION:Concurrent family poverty is strongly and consistently associated with patterns of IPV. These associations are for cross-sectionally collected data with the prospectively collected data not replicating these findings. Although it is not possible to identify a specific causal pathway, the findings suggest that the immediate consequences of poverty are strongly associated with IPV. Programmes that address poverty reduction provide the best prospect for reducing societal levels of IPV.
Abstract Aims Suicide prevention strategies have shifted in many countries, from a national approach to one that is regionally tailored and responsive to local community needs. Previous Australian studies support this approach. However, most studies have focused on suicide deaths which may not fully capture a complete understanding of prevention needs, and few have focused on the priority population of youth. This was the first nationwide study to examine regional variability of self-harm prevalence and related factors in Australian young people. Methods A random sample of Australian adolescents (12–17-year-olds) were recruited as part of the Young Minds Matter (YMM) survey. Participants completed self-report questions on self-harm (i.e., non-suicidal self-harm and suicide attempts) in the previous 12 months. Using mixed effects regressions, an area-level model was built with YMM and Census data to produce out-of-sample small area predictions for self-harm prevalence. Spatial unit of analysis was Statistical Area Level 1 (average population 400 people), and all prevalence estimates were updated to 2019. Results Across Australia, there was large variability in youth self-harm prevalence estimates. Northern Territory, Western Australia, and South Australia had the highest estimated state prevalence. Psychological distress and depression were factors which best predicted self-harm at an individual level. At an area-level, the strongest predictor was a high percentage of single unemployed parents, while being in an area where ≥30% of parents were born overseas was associated with reduced odds of self-harm. Conclusions This study identified characteristics of regions with lower and higher youth self-harm risk. These findings should assist governments and communities with developing and implementing regionally appropriate youth suicide prevention interventions and initiatives.
BackgroundEvidence supports the conceptualization of adult attachment as existing along a continuum of attachment security and insecurity; however, ongoing debates persist regarding the use of categorical versus continuous approaches to studying attachment. Attachment data collected from a large community sample of mothers and their offspring in young adulthood were used to examine i) latent classes of adult attachment, ii) associations between mother and offspring attachment, iii) the relationship between adult attachment and mental health symptoms.MethodsMothers and offspring were each administered the Attachment Style Questionnaire when offspring were aged 21-years. Latent class analyses (LCA) were performed to examine response patterns across ASQ items. Associations between mothers' and offspring attachment, and correlations between attachment domains and depression/anxiety subscales were examined.ResultsLCA identified four latent classes across a continuum of secure and insecure attachment rather than four distinct adult attachment styles. Anxious attachment subscales correlated strongly with depression/anxiety symptoms in both cohorts. Mothers' attachment was significantly but weakly correlated with their young adult offspring attachment.LimitationsAttachment was measured at one time point and as such, a causal maternal-offspring attachment relationship could not be established.ConclusionsFindings support a dimensional view of attachment security and insecurity over a four-category model of adult attachment. Attachment correlated with anxiety and depressive symptoms and highlights the importance of considering adult attachment when addressing mental health. There was limited evidence of a relationship between middle aged mothers and their offspring in young adulthood, suggesting other factors influence attachment in adulthood.
OBJECTIVE:The authors sought to explore the role of iron supplementation in the management of neurodevelopmental disorders among children and youths. METHODS:A systematic review in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines was undertaken. A subset of results was suitable for meta-analysis. The quality of the evidence and strength of the clinical recommendations were assessed by using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation method, and critical appraisal was conducted with the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tools. RESULTS:Nine articles met inclusion criteria. These articles included studies of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) (N=7), autism spectrum disorder (N=1), and Tourette's syndrome (N=1). Three randomized controlled trials evaluating iron supplementation for ADHD hyperactivity symptom severity (124 participants: placebo, N=56; supplement, N=68) met inclusion criteria for a meta-analysis. Effect sizes for the placebo and supplement groups were moderate (Cohen's d=0.76) and large (Cohen's d=1.70), respectively, although these differences were not significant. The impact of iron supplementation on inattentive ADHD symptom severity was examined in two trials (75 participants: placebo, N=31; supplement, N=44). Large, nonsignificant effect sizes were demonstrated for the placebo (Cohen's d=1.66) and supplementation (Cohen's d=3.19) groups. The quality of the evidence and strength of the clinical recommendations were considered very low. CONCLUSIONS:Further research is needed to examine the role of iron supplementation in the management of ADHD and neurodevelopmental disorders more generally. Additionally, iron supplementation comes with risks, including death in the case of overdose.
This study aimed to explore key characteristics of the out-of-home care subgroup of a nationally representative Australian sample. To ensure that mental health services are appropriately targeted, it is critical that we understand the differential impacts of childhood experiences for this cohort. Using the Australian Child Maltreatment Study (N = 8503), we explored patterns of childhood maltreatment and adversity of participants who reported ever being placed in out-of-home care, such as foster care or kinship care. In addition, the prevalence of current and lifetime diagnosis of four mental health disorders were explored. Results showed that the care experienced subgroup reported more types of maltreatment and adverse experiences than the control group. They were also more likely to meet diagnostic threshold for post-traumatic stress disorder, generalised anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder than the control group. These findings can be used to guide mental health practitioners to target interventions more effectively within the out-of-home care cohort.
Background and aims: Gender differences in cardiovascular disease (CVD) have been well documented but rarely for young adults and the extent to which gender related lifestyle differences may contribute to gender differences in CVD risk experienced by young adults have not been reported.Methods and results: Data are from a long-running cohort study, the Mater-University of Queensland Study of Pregnancy (MUSP). We track gender differences in CVD related behaviours at 21 and 30 years (consumption of a Western Diet/Health-Oriented Diet, cigarette smoking, vigorous physical exercise, heavy alcohol consumption). At 30 years we compare males and females for CVD risk, and the extent to which lifestyle behaviours at 21 and 30 years contribute to CVD risk.At both 21 and 30 years of age, males more frequently consume a Western Diet and less often a Health Oriented Diet. By contrast, males are also much more likely to report engaging in vigorous physical activity. On most CVD markers, males exhibit much higher levels of risk than do females at both 21 and 30 years. At 30 years of age males have about five times the odds of being at high risk of CVD. Some lifestyle behaviours contribute to this additional risk. Conclusion: Young adult males much more frequently engage in most CVD related risk behaviours and males have a higher level of CVD risk. Gender differences in CVD risk remain high even after adjustment for CVD lifestyles, though dietary factors independently contribute to CVD risk at 30 years.(c) 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of The Italian Diabetes Society, the Italian Society for the Study of Atherosclerosis, the Italian Society of Human Nutrition and the Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Federico II University. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Objective: The 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome (22q11.2DS) is the most common microdeletion in humans with over 180 phenotypic expressions. Approximately 30-40% of affected individuals will develop psychosis and 25% meet the criteria for schizophrenia. Despite this, pharmacotherapy for managing psychosis in 22q11.2DS is poorly understood and 22q11.2DS psychosis is frequently labelled as treatment resistant. The objectives of this paper are to evaluate the effectiveness and tolerability of pharmacotherapy for 22q11.2DS psychosis and evaluate the evidence for treatment resistance.Method: A systematic search was performed using CINAHL, The Cochrane Library (Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews; Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and Cochrane Clinical Answers), EMBASE, PsycINFO, PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science Core Collection from inception to December 2022. It yielded 39 case reports, 6 case series and 1 retrospective study which met the inclusion criteria.Results: Based on the current literature, individuals with 22q11.2DS psychosis experience a greater rate of medical co-morbidities such as cardiac arrhythmias, seizures and movement disorders, which complicate pharmacotherapy. Poor tolerability rather than poor clinical response motivates the switching of antipsychotics, which may explain the labelling of treatment resistance in the literature.Conclusion: There are insufficient data to recommend a single antipsychotic for 22q11.2DS psychosis. Nonetheless, with proactive management of co-morbidities, antipsychotic medication in 22q11.2DS psychosis is an effective treatment commonly resulting in improvement in quality of life.
BACKGROUND:Little evidence exists about the prevalence of child sexual abuse (CSA) inflicted by different relational classes of perpetrators (e.g., parents; institutional adults; adolescents), and by individual types of perpetrators (e.g., fathers and male relatives; male teachers and male clergy; known and unknown adolescents).OBJECTIVE:To generate evidence of the prevalence of CSA by different perpetrators, and trends by victim gender and age group.PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING:The Australian Child Maltreatment Study collected information about CSA victimisation from a nationally-representative sample of 8503 individuals aged 16 and over.METHODS:We analysed data about 42 perpetrator types, collapsed into eight classes. We generated national prevalence estimates of CSA inflicted by each perpetrator class and individual perpetrator type, and compared results by victim gender and age group.RESULTS:Australian CSA prevalence was 28.5%, with the following prevalence by perpetrator classes: other known adolescents (non-romantic): 10.0%; parents/caregivers in the home: 7.8%; other known adults: 7.5%; unknown adults: 4.9%; adolescents (current/former romantic partners): 2.5%; institutional caregivers: 2.0%; siblings: 1.6%; unknown adolescents: 1.4%. Women experienced more CSA by all perpetrator classes except institutional caregivers. Age group comparison showed significant declines in CSA by parents/caregivers, and other known adults; and increases in CSA by adolescents (current/former romantic partners). Individual perpetrator type comparison showed declines in CSA by fathers, male relatives living in the home, non-resident male relatives, and other known male adults; and increases in CSA by known male adolescents, current boyfriends, and former boyfriends.CONCLUSIONS:CSA by adults has declined, indicating positive impacts of prevention efforts. However, CSA by adolescents has increased. Further declines in CSA by adults are required and possible. Targeted prevention of CSA by adolescents must be prioritised.
Sexual harassment inflicted by adolescents on their peers is a major public health issue, but its prevalence across childhood is not known. We provide the first nationally representative data on the prevalence of peer sexual harassment across childhood, using cross-sectional data from the Australian Child Maltreatment Study (ACMS). The ACMS surveyed 8,503 people aged 16 and over about their experiences of child maltreatment and associated health outcomes. The prevalence of peer sexual harassment was assessed using the Juvenile Victimization Questionnaire (JVQ)-R2 Adapted Version (ACMS), with survey data weighted to reflect characteristics of the Australian population. Overall, 1 in 10 (10.4% (95% Confidence Intervals (CI) [9.7, 11.3])) Australians experienced peer sexual harassment during childhood. Peer sexual harassment is an issue disproportionately affecting gender-diverse individuals (24.0%, 95% CI [15.5, 35.2]) and women (15.3%, 95% CI [14.0, 16.7%]), compared to men (5.0%, 95% CI [4.3, 5.9]). Rates of peer sexual harassment were also very high among sexuality diverse participants (prevalence estimates ranging between 14.2% and 29.8%). Peer sexual harassment was predominately inflicted by male peers (9.6%, 95% CI [8.9, 10.4]), compared to 1.8% (95% CI [1.5, 2.2]) reporting harassment from female peers. These findings have implications for understanding and reducing attitudes supporting peer sexual harassment in childhood, particularly against girls and gender and sexuality diverse youth, and associations with other gendered violence both in childhood and later life.
Attachment styles influence mental health and relationships through life. Few studies examine the adolescent factors associated with adult attachment styles. This paper examines the association between adolescent emotional and behavioral problems and maternal-adolescent communication with attachment style in early adulthood. Data from 3423 participants in a birth cohort study were examined. At 14-years, participants' mothers completed the Parent-Adolescent Communication Scale. Participants completed the Youth Self-Report at 14-years which measures internalizing and externalizing symptoms, and the Attachment Style Questionnaire (ASQ) at 21-years. The ASQ comprises five domains of internal working models of interpersonal relationships and attachment style: confidence (security), discomfort with closeness and relationships as secondary (avoidance), need for approval and preoccupation with relationships (anxiety). Associations were examined using general linear models. After adjustments, internalizing symptoms score was associated with all domains of attachment and externalizing symptoms score was associated with four domains of attachment insecurity, but not attachment security. Low openness in maternal-adolescent communication was most strongly associated with decreased confidence and high problem maternal-adolescent communication was associated with viewing relationships as secondary. Adolescents with emotional and behavioral problems and maternal-adolescent communication may benefit from attachment-based interventions to support the development of healthy relationships and attachments in young adulthood.
Satisfying close relationships are associated with higher levels of life satisfaction throughout the life course. Despite the fundamental role of attachment style in close relationships, few studies have longitudinally examined the association between attachment style in young adults with later life satisfaction. Data from 2,088 participants in a longitudinal birth cohort study were examined. At 21-years, participants completed the Attachment Style Questionnaire which comprises five domains reflective of internal working models of interpersonal relationships and attachment style: confidence (security), discomfort with closeness and relationships as secondary (avoidance), need for approval and preoccupation with relationships (anxiety). At 30-years, participants self-reported their overall life satisfaction. Linear regression was used to longitudinally examine the association between attachment domains at 21-years and life satisfaction at age 30. After adjustments, confidence was positively associated with life satisfaction (β = 0.41, 95
This study presents the most comprehensive national prevalence estimates of diverse gender and sexuality identities in Australians, and the associations with five separate types of child maltreatment and their overlap (multi-type maltreatment). Using Australian Child Maltreatment Study (ACMS) data ( N = 8503), 9.5% of participants identified with a diverse sexuality and .9% with a diverse gender. Diverse identities were more prevalent in the youth cohort, with 17.7% of 16–24 years olds identifying with a diverse sexuality and 2.3% with a diverse gender. Gender and sexuality diversity also intersect – for example, with women (aged 16–24 and 25–44) more likely than men to identify as bisexual. The prevalence of physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, neglect and exposure to domestic violence was very high for those with diverse sexuality and/or gender identities. Maltreatment was most prevalent for participants in the youth cohort with diverse gender identities (90.5% experiencing some form of child maltreatment; 77% multi-type maltreatment) or diverse sexualities (85.3% reporting any child maltreatment; 64.3% multi-type maltreatment). The strong association found between child maltreatment and diverse sexuality and gender identities is critical for understanding the social and mental health vulnerabilities of these groups, and informing services needed to support them.
Introduction: The 10-item Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) is used to screen adolescents for mental disorders in Australian clinical practice; however, there are no Australian adolescent normative data. Methods: Data were drawn from a nationally representative sample ( N = 2964) of Australian adolescents (11–17 years). This study had three aims: (1) to examine concurrent validity between the K10 and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) emotional symptoms subscale, (2) to establish normative Australian adolescent K10 data and (3) to determine optimal K10 cut-off scores for screening for major depressive disorder (MDD) via receiver operator characteristic curve analysis and stratum-specific likelihood ratios. Results: The K10 and SDQ emotional symptoms scales were moderately correlated ( r s = 0.63, p < 0.001). Older female adolescents reported higher total K10 scores compared with younger female adolescents (15–17 years: M = 20.2, standard error [SE] = 0.3; 11–14 years: M = 16.8, SE = 0.3) and male adolescents (11–14 years: M = 16.6, SE = 0.2; 15–17 years: M = 16.0, SE =0.2). K10 scores to optimally discriminate those with and without MDD varied by age and sex and had low specificities. Stratum-specific likelihood ratios indicated adolescents with a K10 score of ≥30 will have a 12.9 (95% confidence interval = [10.2, 16.2]) increased likelihood of MDD. Conclusion: The K10 has utility for assessing psychological distress in health care and epidemiological research in Australian adolescents. Adolescents with K10 scores in the ‘very high’ range are at increased risk of MDD. Further assessment of these young people is indicated to identify those with or at risk of developing MDD.
The mixed cognitive outcomes in early psychosis (EP) have important implications for recovery. In this longitudinal study, we asked whether baseline differences in the cognitive control system (CCS) in EP participants would revert toward a normative trajectory seen in healthy controls (HC). Thirty EP and 30 HC undertook functional MRI at baseline using the multi-source interference task—a paradigm that selectively introduces stimulus conflict—and 19 in each group repeated the task at 12 months. Activation of the left superior parietal cortex normalized over time for the EP group, relative to HC, coincident with improvements in reaction time and social-occupational functioning. To examine these group and timepoint differences, we used dynamic causal modeling to infer changes in effective connectivity between regions underlying the MSIT task execution, namely visual, anterior insula, anterior cingulate, and superior parietal cortical regions. To resolve stimulus conflict, EP participants transitioned from an indirect to a direct neuromodulation of sensory input to the anterior insula over timepoints, though not as strongly as HC participants. Stronger direct nonlinear modulation of the anterior insula by the superior parietal cortex at follow-up was associated with improved task performance. Overall, normalization of the CCS through adoption of more direct processing of complex sensory input to the anterior insula, was observed in EP after 12 months of treatment. Such processing of complex sensory input reflects a computational principle called gain control, which appears to track changes in cognitive trajectory within the EP group.
BACKGROUND AND HYPOTHESIS:Impairments in the expression, experience, and recognition of emotion are common in early psychosis (EP). Computational accounts of psychosis suggest disrupted top-down modulation by the cognitive control system (CCS) on perceptual circuits underlies psychotic experiences, but their role in emotional deficits in EP is unknown. STUDY DESIGN:The affective go/no-go task was used to probe inhibitory control during the presentation of calm or fearful faces in young persons with EP and matched controls. Computational modeling of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data were performed using dynamic causal modeling (DCM). The influence of the CCS on perceptual and emotional systems was examined using parametric empirical bayes. STUDY RESULTS:When inhibiting motor response to fearful faces, EP participants showed higher brain activity in the right posterior insula (PI). To explain this, we used DCM to model effective connectivity between the PI, regions from the CCS activated during inhibition (dorsolateral prefrontal cortex [DLPFC] and anterior insula [AI]), and a visual input region, the lateral occipital cortex (LOC). EP participants exerted a stronger top-down inhibition from the DLPFC to the LOC than controls. Within the EP cohort, increased top-down connectivity between the LOC and AI was associated with a higher burden of negative symptoms. CONCLUSIONS:Young persons with a recent onset of psychosis show a disturbance in the cognitive control of emotionally salient stimuli and the suppression of irrelevant distractors. These changes are associated with negative symptoms, suggesting new targets for the remediation of emotional deficits in young persons with EP.
BACKGROUND:Externalizing symptoms are associated with risk of future substance use disorder (SUD). Few longitudinal studies exist using general population-based samples which assess the spectrum of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) symptoms.AIMS/OBJECTIVES:We aimed to study the associations between adolescent ADHD symptoms and subsequent SUD and additionally examine whether the risk of SUD is influenced by comorbid oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) symptoms.METHODS:The Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1986 was linked to nationwide health care register data for incident SUD diagnoses until age 33 years (n = 6278, 49.5% male). ADHD/ODD-case status at age 16 years was defined using parent-rated ADHD indicated by Strengths and Weaknesses of ADHD symptoms and Normal Behaviors (SWAN) questionnaire with 95% percentile cut-off. To assess the impact of ODD comorbidity on SUD risk, participants were categorized into four groups based on their ADHD/ODD case status. Cox-regression analysis with hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to study associations between adolescent ADHD/ODD case statuses and subsequent SUD.RESULTS:In all, 552 participants (8.8%) presented with ADHD case status at the age of 16 years, and 154/6278 (2.5%) were diagnosed with SUD during the follow-up. ADHD case status was associated with SUD during the follow-up (HR = 3.84, 95% CI 2.69-5.50). After adjustments for sex, family structure, and parental psychiatric disorder and early substance use the association with ADHD case status and SUD remained statistically significant (HR = 2.60, 95% CI 1.70-3.98). The risk of SUD remained elevated in individuals with ADHD case status irrespective of ODD symptoms.CONCLUSIONS:ADHD in adolescence was associated with incident SUD in those with and without symptoms of ODD. The association of ADHD and SUD persisted even after adjustment for a wide range of potential confounds. This emphasizes the need to identify preventative strategies for adolescents with ADHD so as to improve health outcomes.