Catrina Calub, Ph.D.

Fellow In Child & Adolescent ADHD

Project Details

Mentors

Julie B. Schweitzer, Ph.D.
Irva Hertz-Picciotto, Ph.D.
Deborah H. Bennett, Ph.D.


Institution

University of California, Davis


Project

Early Environmental Risk and Protective Factors of Functional Outcomes in Adolescents with ADHD


PROJECT SUMMARY

Childhood attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is associated with negative outcomes in adolescence, such as increased suicide attempts, substance use, criminality, grade retention, and school dropout. Poor neighborhood conditions are linked to higher rates of ADHD; however, existing research is mainly cross-sectional and the impact of early environmental exposures, particularly the effect of neighborhood factors, on overall functioning beyond ADHD symptoms is unexplored. This project aims to identify early childhood environmental risk and protective factors of a diverse set of ADHD-related outcomes during adolescence. Utilizing a large, national, multi-site database, Dr. Calub will examine associations between geocoded neighborhood exposures with behavioral, cognitive, emotional, and functional outcomes in youth with ADHD. Additionally, family-level factors (household SES, parenting style) will be studied, exploring potential interactions with neighborhood factors. This project will help identify potential prevention and treatment targets that may mitigate the substantial societal costs associated with ADHD.