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Cited by 6Intimate Partner and Family ViolenceAttention Deficit Hyperactivity DisorderChild Abuse and Trauma

Adult ADHD predicts intimate partner violence perpetration and victimization irrespective of gender and age

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Merscher, Johannes, Barra, Steffen, Xander, Anika May, Patrasc, Paula Gratiela, Retz-Junginger, Petra, Retz, Wolfgang·2025·Scientific Reports
DOI 10.1038/s41598-024-74222-wPMC PMC11811019
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Abstract

Understanding the determinants of intimate partner violence (IPV) from perpetrator and victim perspectives has become a major objective of behavioral science. Empirical evidence suggests that adults at risk for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), compared to the general population, tend to have more conflictual partnerships, and the presence of ADHD increases the risk of aggressive behavior. Possible influences of gender have not been sufficiently investigated yet. Using data from an anonymous online survey, this study examined the relationship between ADHD and IPV in 316 male and female individuals with (n = 131) and without (n = 185) ADHD. Multiple linear regression analyses showed that adults at risk for ADHD had more frequently become both victims and perpetrators of IPV compared to the healthy control group. ADHD achieved significant incremental variance over gender and age. Thus, the presence of ADHD seems to be an important risk factor for IPV irrespective of gender and age. Accordingly, research and treatment approaches focusing on ADHD must not neglect the risk of IPV among patients but should offer specific psychological support.

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  • Individuals with ADHD are significantly more likely to perpetrate or experience psychological and physical intimate partner violence to moderate degrees, irrespective of gender and age.

    “those with ADHD being significantly more likely to either perpetrate or experience both psychological and physical intimate partner violence to moderate degrees, irrespective of gender and age (Merscher et al. 2025).”

    From “I Felt Like a Burden”: An Exploration Into the Experience of Romantic Relationships for People With ADHD (2026) · cites this paper as Merscher et al. 2025

    The Discussion (page unavailable) reports significantly more psychological and physical IPV perpetration and victimization among adults at risk for ADHD, irrespective of gender and age. But the claim omits the study’s ‘at risk for ADHD’ qualifier, and its description of the differences as moderate across the board does not match the Results: Table 2 reports effect sizes ranging from small to large. (LLM, conf=0.88)

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  • The association between ADHD and intimate partner violence may be related to co-occurring mental health difficulties rather than ADHD.

    “It is worth noting that Merscher et al. (2025) did not control for co‐occurring mental health difficulties, despite noting significantly higher rates in their group of ADHD participants, and as such, vulnerability of intimate partner violence may be related to mental health difficulties rather than the ADHD.”

    From “I Felt Like a Burden”: An Exploration Into the Experience of Romantic Relationships for People With ADHD (2026) · cites this paper as Merscher et al. 2025

  • A recent study has identified that adults with ADHD are significantly more likely to perpetuate or experience intimate partner violence than neurotypical peers, although the potential confounding variable of co-occurring mental health difficulties was not accounted for.

    “This finding is supported by a recent study, which has identified that adults with ADHD are significantly more likely to perpetuate or experience intimate partner violence than neurotypical peers, although the potential confounding variable of co‐occurring mental health difficulties was not accounted for (Merscher et al. 2025).”

    From “I Felt Like a Burden”: An Exploration Into the Experience of Romantic Relationships for People With ADHD (2026) · cites this paper as Merscher et al. 2025

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Research works printed but not linked: 4

  1. [28]Levin, J. & Rabrenovic, G. The sociology of violence. In 21st Century Sociology: A Reference Handbook (eds Bryant, C. D. & Peck, D. L.) 321–328 (Sage Publications, 2007).
  2. [41]Wender, P. H. Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Adults (Oxford University Press, 1995).
  3. [56]Arrondo, G., Osorio, A., Magallón, S., Burgo, C. L. & Cortese, S. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder as a risk factor for being involved in intimate partner violence and sexual violence: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Psychol. Med. 53, 7883–7892. 10.1017/S0033291723001976 (2023). 37485948 PMC10755239 · DOI
  4. [59]Schmid, S. A. Screening von Patientinnen und Patienten auf Erwachsenennotfallstationen zur Vorbeugung und (Früh-) Erkennung von Kindeswohlgefährdung. Eine quantitative Untersuchung im Bereich Kinderschutz (Sozialwissenschaftlicher Fachverlag Edition Soziothek, 2017).

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Authors
Merscher, J., Barra, S., Xander, A. M., Patrasc, P. G., Retz-Junginger, P., & Retz, W.
Affiliations
  • Universitätsklinikum des Saarlandes (DE)
  • University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (DE)
Corresponding author
Merscher, Johannes
ORCID
Venue
Scientific Reports
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2025-02-10
Volume
15
Issue
1
Pages
4914-4914
ISSN
2045-2322 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1038/s41598-024-74222-w
PMC
PMC11811019
OpenAlex
W4407292928
Cited by
6
References
50
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 3
FWCI
6.74
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Scientific Reports (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion)
Funders
Universität des Saarlandes
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Health › Intimate Partner and Family Violence
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child Abuse and Trauma
Keywords
adult ADHD, intimate partner violence, violence perpetration, violent victimization, gender differences, age differences, risk factors, aggression
MeSH terms
Intimate Partner Violence, Adult, Age Factors, Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Surveys and Questionnaires, Risk Factors, Sex Factors, Crime Victims, Young Adult

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