Longitudinal Examination of Sexual Risk Behavior in College Students With and Without Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Abstract

The present study sought to identify differences in the rates and predictors of risky sexual behavior among college students with and without attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Current ADHD diagnosis, medication status among those with ADHD, executive functioning, substance use, comorbid anxiety, comorbid depression, and gender were identified as potential predictors of increased risky sexual behavior. Multiple group latent growth curve modeling was used to estimate trajectories of risky sexual behavior across four years of college among college students with ADHD (n medicated = 99, n unmedicated = 105) and a comparison group (n = 217) recruited from colleges throughout the eastern United States (M age = 18.23 years, 53% female, 70% White). First-year college students with ADHD reported significantly higher rates of sexual risk behavior than their peers without ADHD, with no significant differences found based on medication status. Students with ADHD who were taking medication for ADHD reported significant decreases in risky sexual behavior over time. Among college students with ADHD, anxiety was related to increased current risky sexual behavior in the medicated group, while depression was predictive of decreased future risky sexual behavior in the unmedicated group. Alcohol and cannabis use were significantly associated with increased mean levels of risky sexual behavior across all three groups, and cannabis use was associated with decreased future risky sexual behavior within the comparison group. Executive functioning deficits and male gender were predictive of risky sexual behavior within the comparison group. The results demonstrate that college students with ADHD, regardless of medication status, are at an increased likelihood of engaging in risky sexual behavior.