Publications [#332666] of Karen C. Wells

Journal Articles

1. Jensen, PS; Yuki, K; Murray, D; Mitchell, JT; Weisner, T; Hinshaw, S; Molina, B; Swanson, J; Arnold, LE; Hechtman, L; Wells, K (2018). Turning Points in the Lives of Youth of With/Without ADHD: Are They Linked to Changes in Substance Use?. J Atten Disord, 22(9_suppl), 38S-48S. [doi]
   (last updated on 2023/06/01)

   Abstract:
   OBJECTIVE: This study examines the behavior beliefs, social supports, and turning points in individuals with/without ADHD related to their substance use/abuse (SU/A) decisions. METHOD: The coded interviews from 60 participants with/without ADHD were compared for their SU/A decisions and precipitants with these decisions among abstainers, persisters, and desisters. RESULTS: ADHD participants reported fewer social advantages to avoid SU/A than non-ADHD participants. Desisters and persisters reported more social advantages of using drugs than abstainers. Persisters reported both more negative and positive psychological/physiological effects of SU/A. ADHD participants reported fewer positive role models in their lives. Non-ADHD patients reported more positive turning points than ADHD participants, regardless of SU/A status. CONCLUSION: ADHD individuals face challenges in making healthy decisions about SU/A due to lack of positive role models. Reinforcing accurate behavioral beliefs may be important to change behaviors in individuals with SU/A or to prevent SU/A initiation in ADHD individuals.