Illicit substance use and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms among French university students: a multiple correspondence analysis and a cluster analysis.

INTRODUCTION

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and illicit substance use (SU) are two conditions associated with adverse outcomes in university students. The aim of the study was to explore the association between SUs and ADHD symptoms among French university students.

METHODS

The i-Share project recruited French university students. In a cross-sectional design, we included 14,573 participants between 18 and 30 years. The Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale was used to evaluate ADHD symptoms. SUs were assessed by a self-reported questionnaire. Multiple correspondence analysis, cluster analysis, and linear regression modeling were used to explore the association between SUs and ADHD symptoms.

RESULTS

In the multiple correspondence analysis, SUs were associated with each other. The cluster analysis found 3 clusters. Cluster 1 (low) (n = 13973) contained participants with null or low prevalences for SUs. Cluster 2 (high) (n = 509) contained participants with high prevalences for SUs except crack, heroin, GHB, and magic mushrooms. Cluster 3 (very high) (n = 91) contained participants with very high prevalences for all SUs. Participants in cluster 2 high and in cluster 3 very high were more likely to report high ADHD symptoms (cluster 2 adjusted OR: 1.35 (1.11–1.63), cluster 3 adjusted OR: 2.14 (1.39–3.29)) compared to participants in cluster 1. DISCUSSION: Our findings show that participants reporting SUs were more likely to exhibit high levels of ADHD symptoms, particularly those with use of substances such as crack, heroin, GHB, and magic mushrooms.