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Subjective Gender-Based Patterns in ADHD Diagnosis

Author

Listed:
  • Bertoni, Marco

    (University of Padova)

  • Marin-Lopez, Blas A.

    (Universidad de Alicante)

  • Sanz-de-Galdeano, Anna

    (Universidad de Alicante)

Abstract

The increasing incidence of ADHD diagnosis and its uneven prevalence across demographic groups has sparked debates about misdiagnosis. We use data on individuals' genetic predisposition to ADHD from the Add Health survey of U.S. schools to uncover relative standards in ADHD diagnosis. We estimate that students' ordinal rank in the genetic predisposition to ADHD among their same-gender school peers has a positive, statistically significant, and substantial causal effect on ADHD diagnosis, holding students' own genetic predisposition to ADHD constant. This effect is mainly driven by boys, contributing to explain the observed higher rate of diagnosis for boys relative to girls.

Suggested Citation

  • Bertoni, Marco & Marin-Lopez, Blas A. & Sanz-de-Galdeano, Anna, 2023. "Subjective Gender-Based Patterns in ADHD Diagnosis," IZA Discussion Papers 16634, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp16634
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Marianne Bertrand & Jessica Pan, 2013. "The Trouble with Boys: Social Influences and the Gender Gap in Disruptive Behavior," American Economic Journal: Applied Economics, American Economic Association, vol. 5(1), pages 32-64, January.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    mental health; ADHD; gender; ADHD polygenic scores; interpersonal comparisons; subjective diagnosis;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I10 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - General
    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth

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