ADHD in Black Youth: A Content Analysis of Empirical Research from 1972 to 2023

The purpose of this content analysis study was to characterize patterns of research on Black youth with ADHD.

Relevant articles were identified through searching psychology and medical databases and cross-referencing citations in previously published review articles. The 204 empirical articles included in this study (1) were conducted in the United States, (2) had a predominantly child or adolescent sample, (3) had more than 80% Black youth/families in the study sample and/or conducted separate analyses for Black youth/families, and (4) examined ADHD symptoms or diagnoses. Articles were categorized into five primary content areas: Assessment, Treatment, Perceptions, Prevalence, and Associated Correlates. Journal characteristics, sample characteristics, and methodological characteristics are presented across these content areas.

Findings show a relatively low representation of Black youth with ADHD in the literature, with most studies using race comparative approaches and secondary data analyses, and many being published in medical journals.

Based on these results, changes are recommended both at the individual study and broader systems levels (e.g., funding agencies). More research, funding, and publications centering Black youth with ADHD are vital to understanding and correcting long-standing health disparities for this community.