Beyond symptoms: identifying risk and protective factors for individuals with ADHD in the criminal justice system

Abstract

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) has been consistently associated with increased risk of criminal justice system (CJS) involvement. This study aimed to explore the relationship between ADHD symptom severity, subtypes, and associated social and systemic moderators, such as social support, educational disruptions, and mental health service access, on interactions with the CJS. Utilizing linked administrative data from Statistics Canada’s Criminal Justice Relational Database (CJRD), specifically the Integrated Criminal Court Survey (ICCS) and Ontario Mental Health Reporting System (OMHRS), this study examined data from 9,010 adults who had previous interactions with the CJS. Due to significant limitations, including a small ADHD subgroup, data suppression, and inconsistent reporting of key variables, planned complex analyses were simplified. A one-way ANOVA indicated that individuals diagnosed with ADHD had significantly more CJS interactions compared to those without ADHD; however, regression analyses examining severity and mediation models exploring moderating factors could not be robustly conducted. Results highlighted methodological and infrastructural challenges, limiting deeper analytic exploration. Despite these limitations, findings align with prior research emphasizing the need for standardized ADHD screening and targeted intervention strategies within the CJS to improve outcomes and reduce recidivism. Recommendations for improved data collection practices, systemic reforms, and future research directions are discussed.