569601

research-article2015

JADXXX10.1177/1087054715569601Journal of Attention DisordersVisser et al.

Article

Student-Perceived School Climate Is Associated With ADHD Medication Treatment Among Adolescents in Medicaid

Journal of Attention Disorders 1­–12 © 2015 SAGE Publications Reprints and permissions: sagepub.com/journalsPermissions.nav DOI: 10.1177/1087054715569601 jad.sagepub.com

Susanna N. Visser1, Dennis Kramer2, Angela B. Snyder3, Joyce Sebian4, Garry McGiboney2, and Arden Handler5

Abstract Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between school climate and ADHD medication treatment among adolescents in Medicaid in Georgia. Method: School climate and Medicaid claims data were aggregated for 159 GA counties. County-level school climate percentile and medicated ADHD prevalence were calculated. The t tests and regression models evaluated the relationship between school climate, medicated ADHD, and demographics, weighted by county population. Poorer 2008 school climate (32%)   Lower (≤32%) FQHC in county  No  Yes Population sized   Smaller (≤89,890)   Larger (89,891-920,581)

Mean-weighted percentile of county school climate

t

33.9 38.2

1.23

.2209

7.0 8.6

3.39

  .0009

31.3 55.1

5.90