March 27, 2026
Dating abuse is more prevalent among youth with ADHD and mental health conditions than it is among their neurotypical peers, according to a new analysis published in the Journal of Interpersonal Violence.1
Rates of both abuse victimization and perpetration were elevated among youth with neurodevelopmental or mental health disorders, with 75% of those surveyed reporting abuse victimization in the past year, and 62% reporting abuse perpetration. The study’s researchers say these arresting numbers make clear the need for “healthy relationship promotion programs and strategies that will benefit the more than 7.3 million youth in U.S. public schools who receive support for disabilities, and the broader population of youth who have mental health or neurodevelopmental conditions.”
The study analyzed data collected from 846 U.S. adolescents and young adults between the ages of 11 and 21. Researchers asked about four types of dating abuse — physical, sexual, psychological, and cyber — and assessed the prevalence of both abuse perpetration and victimization through a tool called Measure of Adolescent Relationship Harassment and Abuse (MARHA). The youth also reported their diagnoses of ADHD, autism, learning disabilities, or mental health conditions (including anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder [PTSD], and bipolar disorder).
Rates of dating abuse victimization:
75% of youth with diagnosed mental health or neurodevelopmental conditions experienced some abuse
79% of youth with a learning disability
82% of youth with bipolar disorder
84% of youth with PTSD
Rates of dating abuse perpetration:
62% of youth with diagnosed mental health or neurodevelopmental conditions perpetrated some abuse
76% of youth with a learning disability
77% of youth with PTSD
81% of youth with bipolar disorder
Youth with bipolar disorder were more likely than all other subgroups to experience all types of dating abuse. Psychological dating abuse was particularly prevalent among this population, and youth with bipolar disorder were also the most likely subgroup to report any dating abuse perpetration.
Why Assessing for Different Kinds of Abuse Is Critical
Past research has pointed to a higher risk for intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization among youth with ADHD, though studies have been scant and limited in scope. Many research inquiries have focused on physical violence, which is not the most common form of abuse.
Psychological abuse is pervasive, explains Tami Sullivan, Ph.D., director of Yale University’s Family Violence Research and Programs in the ADDitude article “Intimate Partner Violence Among Women with ADHD.” “You almost never see physical and sexual abuse alone, without psychological abuse,” Sullivan explained. Research conducted by Sullivan found that psychological violence is experienced 13 times more often than are physical, psychological, and sexual violence combined.2 Psychological abuse often leads to physical and sexual abuse, and it has dire health consequences of its own. “Psychological abuse erodes self-worth and self-efficacy, that feeling of, ‘I’ve got this,’” says Sullivan. “It can be a stronger predictor of PTSD and depression than physical abuse.”3
A previous study that revealed a correlation between physical abuse and ADHD was the Berkeley Girls with ADHD Longitudinal Study (BGALS). Led by Stephen Hinshaw, Ph.D., the study found that women aged 17 to 24 who had received a childhood diagnosis of ADHD were five times more likely than their neurotypical peers to experience physical IPV. Greater ADHD symptom severity in childhood was associated with increased risk for IPV.4
“It’s underappreciated how difficult ADHD can be for girls and women because the consequences are more internal,” says Hinshaw in “Intimate Partner Violence Among Women with ADHD.” “As they age, the tendency for girls with ADHD is (to develop) depression, very low self-image, unplanned pregnancy, intimate partner violence, and non-suicidal self-injury.”
The Cause is Complicated, But Help is Within Reach
The new study’s authors speculate that the increased risk of dating abuse among youth with ADHD or mental health conditions may stem from psychological distress associated with these conditions, negative self-beliefs, emotional dysregulation, and/or less capacity to leave harmful relationships. They also stress that the association is multifactorial, making it difficult to pinpoint a causal relationship. Instead, they recommend “moving forward with prevention and intervention strategies designed to benefit these vulnerable subpopulations.”
View Article Sources
1Rothman, E.F., Cusano, J., Graham Holmes, L., Taylor, B.G., Cuevas, C.A., & Mumford, E.A. (2026). Elevated Odds of Dating Violence Among U.S. Youth with Mental Health and Neurodevelopmental Conditions: Estimates from a Nationally Representative Cross-Sectional Study. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 41(5-6), 1196-1221. https://doi.org/10.1177/08862605251319010
2Sullivan, T.P., McPartland, T., Armeli, S., Jaquier, V., Tennen, H. (2012). Is It the Exception or the Rule? Daily Co-occurrence of Physical, Sexual and Psychological Partner Violence In a 90-Day Study of Substance-Using, Community Women. Psychol Violence. http://doi.org/10.1037/a0027106
3 Mechanic, M.B., Weaver, T.L., Resick, P.A. (2008). Mental health consequences of intimate partner abuse: a multidimensional assessment of four different forms of abuse. Violence Against Women. http://doi.org/10.1177/1077801208319283
4 Guendelman, M.D., Ahmad, S., Meza, J.I., Owens, E.B., Hinshaw, S.P. (2016). Childhood Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Predicts Intimate Partner Victimization in Young Women. J Abnorm Child Psychol. http://doi.org/10.1007/s10802-015-9984-z