Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) symptoms and Risky Sexual Behaviours (RSB) in university students: the i-Share study
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) symptoms and Risky Sexual Behaviours (RSB) in university students: the i-Share study
Background: Risky Sexual Behaviours (RSB) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are both major concerns among university students. However, their association remains insufficiently understood. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between ADHD symptoms and a broad range of RSB in university students.
Methods: a total of 13,085 French students enrolled in the i-Share study (mean age: 20.6 years, SD = 2.4) completed self-reported questionnaires assessing ADHD symptoms (Adult Self-Report Scale v1.1), RSB, sociodemographic characteristics, and alcohol and cannabis use. Logistic regression models were used to examine the cross-sectional associations between ADHD symptoms and RSB, adjusting for relevant confounders.
Results: a high level of ADHD symptoms was observed in 5.3% of students. In multivariate models, ADHD symptoms were associated with a wide range of RSB, including early first sexual intercourse (adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR): 1.26; 95% CI: 1.06–1.51), inconsistent condom use in the last 12 months (aOR: 1.26; 95% CI: 1.05–1.51), diagnosis of a sexually transmitted infection in the last 12 months (aOR: 1.60; 95% CI: 1.16–2.22), and having had multiple sexual partners in the last 12 months (adjusted Incidence Rate Ratio (IRR): 1.20; 95% CI: 1.14–1.27). Among female students, ADHD symptoms were associated with lower current use of any form of contraception (aOR: 0.59; 95% CI: 0.48–0.71), and higher odds of having ever used emergency contraception (aOR: 1.22; 95% CI: 1.02–1.47), and having ever had an abortion (aOR: 1.77; 95% CI: 1.21–2.58).
Conclusions: university students with a high level of ADHD symptoms are at increased risk of engaging in a wide range of risky sexual behaviours. Targeted preventive strategies may be particularly beneficial for this population.
Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders, Sexology
Offranc, Claudine
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Galesne, Charline
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Macalli, Melissa
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Kinouani, Sherazade
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Retuerto, Noelia
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Carucci, Sara
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Purper-Ouakil, Diane
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Kooij, Sandra
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Cortese, Samuele
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Tzourio, Christophe
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Galéra, Cédric
322be113-abce-4d3c-9ca6-644631837bed
17 December 2025
Offranc, Claudine
e26f3b1d-e8f6-43f5-a87f-b7f62917f3bc
Galesne, Charline
514e8147-af67-4786-b3c6-a7dc80cd94b8
Macalli, Melissa
ec75b20d-c786-4cf0-b0fb-71afa7fa7ee2
Kinouani, Sherazade
c5626763-961f-4f41-9062-404cde00d8b6
Retuerto, Noelia
d88d22b8-14b6-4bfa-801b-67ff2061369e
Carucci, Sara
8c5c5ea0-a142-4de4-9298-aa17e3645d9b
Purper-Ouakil, Diane
54755856-1833-44db-9a28-94d78d444688
Kooij, Sandra
4edf1610-8612-451a-a827-7306fcb8708c
Cortese, Samuele
53d4bf2c-4e0e-4c77-9385-218350560fdb
Tzourio, Christophe
9238e66c-3bc4-48ba-afa6-8f1d65dd6b06
Galéra, Cédric
322be113-abce-4d3c-9ca6-644631837bed
Offranc, Claudine, Galesne, Charline, Macalli, Melissa, Kinouani, Sherazade, Retuerto, Noelia, Carucci, Sara, Purper-Ouakil, Diane, Kooij, Sandra, Cortese, Samuele, Tzourio, Christophe and Galéra, Cédric
(2025)
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) symptoms and Risky Sexual Behaviours (RSB) in university students: the i-Share study.
BMJ Mental Health, 28 (1), [e302024].
(doi:10.1136/bmjment-2025-302024).
Abstract
Background: Risky Sexual Behaviours (RSB) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are both major concerns among university students. However, their association remains insufficiently understood. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between ADHD symptoms and a broad range of RSB in university students.
Methods: a total of 13,085 French students enrolled in the i-Share study (mean age: 20.6 years, SD = 2.4) completed self-reported questionnaires assessing ADHD symptoms (Adult Self-Report Scale v1.1), RSB, sociodemographic characteristics, and alcohol and cannabis use. Logistic regression models were used to examine the cross-sectional associations between ADHD symptoms and RSB, adjusting for relevant confounders.
Results: a high level of ADHD symptoms was observed in 5.3% of students. In multivariate models, ADHD symptoms were associated with a wide range of RSB, including early first sexual intercourse (adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR): 1.26; 95% CI: 1.06–1.51), inconsistent condom use in the last 12 months (aOR: 1.26; 95% CI: 1.05–1.51), diagnosis of a sexually transmitted infection in the last 12 months (aOR: 1.60; 95% CI: 1.16–2.22), and having had multiple sexual partners in the last 12 months (adjusted Incidence Rate Ratio (IRR): 1.20; 95% CI: 1.14–1.27). Among female students, ADHD symptoms were associated with lower current use of any form of contraception (aOR: 0.59; 95% CI: 0.48–0.71), and higher odds of having ever used emergency contraception (aOR: 1.22; 95% CI: 1.02–1.47), and having ever had an abortion (aOR: 1.77; 95% CI: 1.21–2.58).
Conclusions: university students with a high level of ADHD symptoms are at increased risk of engaging in a wide range of risky sexual behaviours. Targeted preventive strategies may be particularly beneficial for this population.
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Accepted/In Press date: 2 December 2025
Published date: 17 December 2025
Keywords:
Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders, Sexology
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Local EPrints ID: 508185
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/508185
ISSN: 2755-9734
PURE UUID: b6f5dc9e-b700-4a46-b37d-0b9e3769e6ff
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Date deposited: 14 Jan 2026 17:38
Last modified: 17 Jan 2026 03:04
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Author:
Claudine Offranc
Author:
Charline Galesne
Author:
Melissa Macalli
Author:
Sherazade Kinouani
Author:
Noelia Retuerto
Author:
Sara Carucci
Author:
Diane Purper-Ouakil
Author:
Sandra Kooij
Author:
Christophe Tzourio
Author:
Cédric Galéra
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