ADHD and intimate partner violence: what the research shows
Researchers from the University of Navarra in Spain, collaborating with colleagues at the University of Southampton in the United Kingdom, examined how attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) intersects with violence in intimate relationships. The study appeared in Psychological Medicine as a peer‑reviewed report, highlighting patterns that deserve careful attention from clinicians, researchers, and policymakers alike .
The analysis revealed that ADHD is linked to a higher likelihood of both perpetrating violence toward a partner and being exposed to violence within a partnership. Specifically, individuals with ADHD were found to be about 2.5 times more likely to commit violence toward a partner and roughly 80 percent more likely to experience sexual or other forms of intimate partner violence than those without ADHD. These figures indicate elevated, but not universal, risk among individuals with the condition .
The conclusions were drawn from a synthesis of fourteen previously published studies addressing the ADHD–violence link. The combined data covered more than 1.1 million people across five countries, offering a broad, multi‑national view of potential risk factors and their context within relationships .
The researchers emphasized the practical importance of their findings for clinical practice and social awareness, while urging caution to prevent stigma against people with ADHD. They stressed that the results describe relative risks for events that are not common and should not be used to label or blame individuals with ADHD since most people with the condition do not engage in intimate partner violence .
Many of the data sources spanned periods when ADHD symptoms were most active in early life, with numerous studies focusing on adolescents and young adults. This developmental frame helps explain patterns that may reflect ongoing maturation of impulse control and behavioral regulation during teenage years and early adulthood .
The psychologists also discussed broader clinical implications, underscoring ADHD as a health condition that can intersect with other mental health risks. They reiterated that ADHD alone does not dictate violent behavior and called for supportive approaches that reduce risk without marginalizing individuals who have the condition, aiming for safer relationships and better overall well‑being .