TY - JOUR
T1 - Seasonal variations in the severity of ADHD symptoms in the Dutch general population
AU - Vogel, Suzan W. N.
AU - ten Have, Margreet L.
AU - Bijlenga, Denise
AU - de Graaf, Ron
AU - Beekman, Aartjan T. F.
AU - Kooij, J. J. Sandra
PY - 2019
Y1 - 2019
N2 - Objective: This is the first study to examine self-reported seasonal differences in the severity of ADHD symptoms in adults from the general population. Method: Data were analyzed from N = 5,303 respondents participating in the second wave of the Netherlands Mental Health Survey and Incidence Study–2, a population-based study on mental health. ADHD symptoms were assessed using the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale Screener. As indicators of the severity of ADHD symptoms, the total ADHD symptom score and inattention and hyperactivity subscale scores were examined. Results: Compared with participants who were assessed in autumn, total ADHD and inattention subscale scores were significantly higher among participants who were assessed in spring or summer; the hyperactivity subscale score was significantly higher in spring. Conclusion: We found seasonal variations in the severity of ADHD symptoms, which was highest in those assessed in spring and summer. Researchers should be aware of this in the diagnostic process.
AB - Objective: This is the first study to examine self-reported seasonal differences in the severity of ADHD symptoms in adults from the general population. Method: Data were analyzed from N = 5,303 respondents participating in the second wave of the Netherlands Mental Health Survey and Incidence Study–2, a population-based study on mental health. ADHD symptoms were assessed using the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale Screener. As indicators of the severity of ADHD symptoms, the total ADHD symptom score and inattention and hyperactivity subscale scores were examined. Results: Compared with participants who were assessed in autumn, total ADHD and inattention subscale scores were significantly higher among participants who were assessed in spring or summer; the hyperactivity subscale score was significantly higher in spring. Conclusion: We found seasonal variations in the severity of ADHD symptoms, which was highest in those assessed in spring and summer. Researchers should be aware of this in the diagnostic process.
KW - ADHD symptom severity
KW - population-based study
KW - seasons
UR - https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?partnerID=HzOxMe3b&scp=85067095801&origin=inward
UR - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27199240
U2 - https://doi.org/10.1177/1087054716649663
DO - https://doi.org/10.1177/1087054716649663
M3 - Article
C2 - 27199240
SN - 1087-0547
VL - 23
SP - 924
EP - 930
JO - Journal of Attention Disorders
JF - Journal of Attention Disorders
IS - 9
ER -