A recent study published in the Journal of Attention Disorders reveals that nearly 50% of children diagnosed with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) fall victim to bullying, a figure that is more than twice that of their neurotypical counterparts. The research also indicates that children with ADHD are twice as likely to engage in bullying behavior compared to non-ADHD peers.
The study utilized data from the 2016-2017 National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH), focusing on children aged 6 to 17 with ADHD. The researchers examined the relationships between reported experiences of bullying—either as victims or perpetrators—and various demographic factors, family dynamics, school environments, and children’s behavioral issues.
Among the children with ADHD surveyed, 46.9% reported being bullied, while 16.2% admitted to bullying others. Several risk factors contributed to a higher likelihood of being bullied, such as experiencing family financial difficulties, having developmental delays or intellectual disabilities, trouble forming friendships, and receiving negative feedback from schools regarding behavior. Notably, parents whose children struggled to make friends reported higher instances of bullying victimization.
On the other hand, characteristics associated with bullying behavior included being male, receiving government assistance, lack of engagement in school, and difficulties in managing emotions and friendships. Arguing was the most significant predictor of being a bully.
This isn’t the first time ADHD has been linked to increased bullying risk. A previous study from November 2020 found that children with ADHD were up to 17 times more likely to be identified as both bullies and victims, and 3.7 times more likely to be classified solely as victims. Children with other neurodevelopmental disorders, such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and various learning disabilities, also face heightened risks of bullying. Alarmingly, around one in four school-aged children report experiences of bullying.
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In summary, children with ADHD are significantly more likely to experience bullying as victims and to engage in bullying behavior compared to their neurotypical peers. Factors such as family issues and social difficulties play a critical role in this alarming trend.