Exploring the Overlap Between Mental Health, Neurodevelopmental Characteristics and Trauma in Childhood and Adolescence.

Davies, Abigail (2025) Exploring the Overlap Between Mental Health, Neurodevelopmental Characteristics and Trauma in Childhood and Adolescence. Doctoral thesis, University of East Anglia.

Preview

PDF Download (3MB) | Preview

Abstract

Background: Neurodevelopmental and mental health conditions are prevalent in children and adolescents, with ADHD affecting approximately of 5% of children and adolescents, common mental health difficulties affecting 13.4% of individuals, and 25-31.1% of children and adolescents experiencing trauma. Children and adolescents with ADHD are more likely to develop common mental health difficulties and to experience trauma. Reasons for these comorbidities have been proposed including bidirectionality, and shared risk factors, underlying mechanisms, and symptomology.

Method: A systematic review and meta-analyses were conducted to investigate both the prevalence rates of trauma exposed in individuals with ADHD and the prevalence rates of ADHD in individuals who have been exposed to trauma. The relationship between symptoms of ADHD, depression and anxiety was explored in a transdiagnostic cross-sectional sample of children through mapping of items from measures commonly used in diagnosis onto diagnostic criteria for anxiety, ADHD and depression. An exploratory factor analysis revealed underlying factors. Cluster analysis was conducted to identify subgroups of children with similar profiles. Differences in characteristics between subgroups were analysed.

Results: The prevalence rates of trauma exposure in individuals with ADHD, and the prevalence rates ADHD in individuals are exposed to trauma, are higher than rates we would expect to see in the general population. There was also an association between ADHD, depression and anxiety due to the heterogeneity of symptomology within diagnoses and the overlap of symptomology between diagnoses.

Conclusions: We demonstrate that the co-occurrence of ADHD and common mental health conditions, and ADHD and trauma among children and adolescents is a substantial issue that warrants clinical and research attention. Recommendations for assessment and appropriate intervention that adhere to a person-centred transdiagnostic framework are discussed.

Item Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Norwich Medical School
Depositing User:	Chris White
Date Deposited:	23 Oct 2025 08:39
Last Modified:	23 Oct 2025 08:39
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/100742
DOI:

Downloads

Actions (login required)

View Item