Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is tied to higher levels of depression, but the social factors that shape these associations are not well understood. This study considers whether family transitions affect depressive symptoms differently for young adults with and without childhood symptoms of ADHD at subthreshold or diagnostic levels. Between-within regression analysis of nationally representative longitudinal survey data shows that transitions into cohabitation and parenthood affect depressive symptoms differently for young adults with and without childhood symptoms of ADHD. Specifically, within-person effects indicate that transitions into cohabitation and parenthood are tied to decreases in depressive symptoms, but only for young adults without childhood symptoms of ADHD. In contrast, transitions into marriage are tied to decreases in depressive symptoms, and transitions out of coresidential unions are tied to increases in depressive symptoms, regardless of childhood symptoms of ADHD. The results suggest that some family transitions may work to widen ADHD disparities in depression, underscoring the importance of family contexts for shaping mental health throughout the life course.

注意缺陷/多动障碍 (ADHD) 与更高程度的抑郁症有关，但形成这些关联的社会因素尚不清楚。这项研究考虑了家庭转变是否会在亚阈值或诊断水平上对有和没有 ADHD 儿童期症状的年轻人的抑郁症状产生不同的影响。对具有全国代表性的纵向调查数据的组间回归分析表明，转变为同居和为人父母的方式对患有和不患有 ADHD 儿童症状的年轻人的抑郁症状影响不同。具体而言，人内效应表明，过渡到同居和为人父母与抑郁症状的减少有关，但仅适用于没有儿童多动症症状的年轻人。相比之下，过渡到婚姻与抑郁症状的减少有关，而从同居结合过渡与抑郁症状的增加有关，无论儿童多动症的症状如何。结果表明，一些家庭转变可能会扩大抑郁症中 ADHD 的差异，强调了家庭环境对塑造整个生命过程中心理健康的重要性。