ADHD Symptoms and Financial Distress*

We examine the effect of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) on individual-level financial distress. ADHD is the most common mental disorder among children and is characterized by behaviors such as inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness that interfere with school and home life. In a representative panel, we find that individuals with more severe ADHD symptoms during childhood have more difficulty paying bills and are more...