Research Brief
Principal Researcher(s)
Robert Hendry

ADHD and Youth Violence: A Critical
Appraisal of the Literature

Advisor
Marjory Jardine

Critical Appraisal: Violent ADHD Youth
Research Problem & Rationale for Study

Instructor
Greg Keenan
Evaluator – David
Smulders
Research Field
Youth Violence
Program
Bachelor of Law
Enforcement Studies

A lack of research exists on the topic of ADHD (attention deficit
hyperactivity disorder) and its link to youth violence. As someone who
lives with ADHD, this was an important topic for me to delve into. As I
began to search deeper into the problem, I noticed the research
surrounding this topic contained errors or flaws in the methodology. This
is not to say the information is invalid, but rather to point out errors to
make improvements for future research. After collecting a variety of
sources, I compared individual differences and commonalities.
Methods
Secondary research was the main source of information for this study. The
studies were gathered and then disassembled to review only the most
valuable information. An initial review brought the sources down to
approximately 19 current and relevant articles. The main search for the
material was conducted online via the Justice Institute of British Columbia
(JIBC) Library’s online EBSCO Discovery System.

Course

Results/Findings

LAWS 4003 – Research
Project

The results indicate that there are many areas of overlap between youth
violence and its association with ADHD. Certain characteristics of ADHD
are more prone to induce violent youth. Some of the side effects of ADHD,
specifically social, further escalate violent tendencies.

Funding Sources

Conclusions / Recommendations

N/A: Course-based
Project.

The main recommendation this research provides is to ensure that certain
aspects are considered when conducting future research. This includes:
variances in gender, the diagnosis process of ADHD, the collection of
violence statistics, and family dynamics.

.JIBC

JIBC Research Brief

Structured Abstract
Introduction: ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) is a common childhood disorder that

typically involves youth with a heightened inability to focus or concentrate. This paper was written to
examine the relationship between ADHD and youth crime, but more specifically to address the gaps in
contemporary literature and areas of future research. Additionally, many factors associated with ADHD
are also identified as indicators of youth violence. The culmination of these factors and the gaps in the
research presented an opportunity to further explore this issue.

Methods: To gain an understanding of the research, secondary sources were gathered and analyzed. A
literature review was the vessel used to gather relevant material for further dissection. The Justice
Institute of British Columbia’s online EBSCO Discovery System was the main search tool to locate available
research. Additional databases were also queried, including, Google Scholar, Northern Alberta Institute of
Technology, and the National Criminal Justice Reference Services. Two different search strategies were
utilized to gather material.
Results/Findings: The results of this study indicate that there are still considerable gaps in the

research and flaws in the methodology. One of the major themes surrounded the lack of research on
females with ADHD. Additionally, when females are researched their results are mixed with males
resulting in an improper analysis of results. This, along with other differences has led to research gaps that
require future exploration.

Discussion: The discussion section was speculative and focused on areas where an increase in research

would benefit the body of research. Comorbidity and mental health are areas where future research is
needed. Further, anxiety and depression have been linked to ADHD, indicating that ADHD may be
connected to other mental health disorders. The level of violence committed was also identified as an
area requiring future research. Differences in ethnicity, type of violence and the collection of violence
statistics were all areas that caused variances in this field of research.

Practical Applications: The intended consequence of this research is to increase awareness of ADHD
and the effects it can have on a youth’s development. The social effects are the main concern, as these
seem to guide youth towards deviance more than the other side effects. A secondary purpose was to
provide insight into the lack of strategies to address these issues.

References:
Peasgood, T., Bhardwaj, A., Biggs, K., Brazier, J., Coghill, D., Cooper, C., … Sonuga-Barke, E. (2016). The
impact of ADHD on the health and well-being of ADHD children and their siblings. European
Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 25(11), 1217–1231. http://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-016-0841-6
Wojciechowski, T. W. (2017). The role of ADHD in predicting the development of violent behavior among
juvenile offenders: Participation versus frequency. Journal of Interpersonal Violence.
http://doi.org/10.1177/0886260517734225