Assessing the cost and impact of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Australia

Project is suitable for PhD students only. The project will require a strong background in statistics and research methodology. Applicants with backgrounds in Psychology/Psychiatry, Statistics or Public Health are preferred.

BACKGROUND

ADHD (defined as an inability to focus, high levels of impulsivity and age-inappropriate hyperactivity) is the most prevalent childhood psychiatric disorder (affecting around 5% of children), with ~50% of those affected continuing to experience symptoms into adulthood. There is a high level of comorbidity with other psychiatric disorders and increased risks of incarceration, death and disability from suicide, car accidents and misadventure. Using data from the census ADHD study a new richly-phenotyped nationwide cohort of children with ADHD this project will examine the cost and impact of ADHD on families and the community.

Potential sub-projects include:

• Assessing the health service usage and financial costs of ADHD.
• Assessing the impact of ADHD on individual and family level psychological and social functioning.
• Assessing the level and types of side effects associated with ADHD medication.

Please note this is a dry lab analysis focused project.