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Risky behavior in gambling tasks in individuals with ADHD--a systematic literature review
Yvonne Groen1, Geraldina F Gaastra, Ben Lewis-Evans
1Department of Clinical and Developmental Neuropsychology, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
Plos One
|September 24, 2013
Summary
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is linked to riskier gambling behavior, particularly in children and adolescents. Comorbid conditions like oppositional defiant disorder may increase this risk, but evidence in adults is less clear.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity.
- Risky decision-making is a potential correlate of ADHD, with implications for various real-world behaviors.
- Gambling tasks are often used to assess risk-taking propensity in research settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between ADHD and risky performance in gambling tasks.
- To identify potential factors that may explain or moderate this relationship.
Main Methods:
- A systematic review of literature comparing individuals with ADHD to normal controls (NCs) on gambling tasks.
- Inclusion of 14 studies in children/adolescents and 11 studies in adults.
- Searches conducted across PsycINFO, PubMed, and Web of Knowledge.
Main Results:
- Evidence suggests children/adolescents with ADHD exhibit riskier gambling behavior compared to NCs, while findings for adults are less consistent.
- Effect sizes for risky behavior ranged from small to large in both age groups.
- Comorbid oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) and conduct disorder (CD) were associated with increased risky behavior in ADHD.
Conclusions:
- The link between ADHD and risky gambling performance is stronger in younger individuals, potentially due to developmental changes in sensitivity to rewards and penalties.
- Comorbid ODD/CD appears to be a significant risk factor for heightened risky behavior in ADHD.
- Further research is needed to clarify the influence of comorbid internalizing disorders, ADHD subtype, medication, and reward type on gambling task performance.
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01:30Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. It affects approximately 5-8% of children globally, with around 60-70% of cases persisting into adulthood. ADHD has significant implications for educational attainment, social interactions, and occupational success.
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To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings.
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