Childhood maltreatment correlates with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in previous research. The interaction between ADHD genetic predisposition and maltreatment’s impact on ADHD symptom risk remains unclear. We aimed to elucidate this relationship by examining the interplay between a polygenic score for ADHD (ADHD-PGS) and childhood maltreatment in predicting ADHD symptoms during young adulthood. Using data from the 2004 Pelotas (Brazil) birth cohort comprising 4231 participants, we analyzed gene-environment interaction (GxE) and correlation (rGE). We further explored rGE mechanisms through mediation models. ADHD symptoms were assessed at age 18 via self-report (Adult Self Report Scale - ASRS) and mother-reports (Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire - SDQ). The ADHD-PGS was derived from published ADHD GWAS meta-analysis. Physical and psychological child maltreatment was gauged using the Parent-Child Conflict Tactics Scale (CTSPC) at ages 6 and 11, with a mean score utilized as a variable. The ADHD-PGS exhibited associations with ADHD symptoms on both ASRS (β = 0.53; 95% CI: 0.03; 1.03, p = 0.036), and SDQ (β = 0.20; 95% CI: 0.08; 0.32, p = 0.001) scales. The total mean maltreatment score was associated with ADHD symptoms using both scales [(β_ASRS = 0.51; 95% CI: 0.26;0.77) and (β_SDQ = 0.24; 95% CI: 0.18;0.29)]. The ADHD-PGS was associated with total mean maltreatment scores (β = 0.09; 95% CI: 0.01; 0.17; p = 0.030). Approximately 47% of the total effect of ADHD-PGS on maltreatment was mediated by ADHD symptoms at age 6. No evidence supported gene-environment interaction in predicting ADHD symptoms. Our findings underscore the significant roles of genetics and childhood maltreatment as predictors for ADHD symptoms in adulthood, while also indicating a potential evocative mechanism through gene-environment correlation.

先前的研究表明，儿童期虐待与注意力缺陷/多动障碍（ADHD）相关。 ADHD 遗传倾向与虐待对 ADHD 症状风险的影响之间的相互作用仍不清楚。我们的目的是通过检查 ADHD 多基因评分 (ADHD-PGS) 与儿童虐待之间的相互作用来预测成年早期 ADHD 症状，从而阐明这种关系。使用 2004 年 Pelotas（巴西）出生队列（由 4231 名参与者组成）的数据，我们分析了基因-环境相互作用 (GxE) 和相关性 (rGE)。我们通过中介模型进一步探讨了 rGE 机制。 18 岁时，通过自我报告（成人自我报告量表 - ASRS）和母亲报告（力量和困难问卷 - SDQ）评估 ADHD 症状。 ADHD-PGS 源自已发表的 ADHD GWAS 荟萃分析。使用亲子冲突策略量表（CTSPC）对 6 岁和 11 岁儿童的身体和心理虐待情况进行评估，并以平均分作为变量。 ADHD-PGS 在 ASRS（β = 0.53；95% CI：0.03；1.03，p = 0.036）和 SDQ（β = 0.20；95% CI：0.08；0.32，p = 0.001）量表上均表现出与 ADHD 症状的相关性。使用两个量表，总平均虐待评分与 ADHD 症状相关[(β _ASRS  = 0.51; 95% CI: 0.26;0.77) 和 (β _SDQ  = 0.24; 95% CI: 0.18;0.29)]。 ADHD-PGS 与总平均虐待评分相关（β = 0.09；95% CI：0.01；0.17；p = 0.030）。 ADHD-PGS 对虐待的总影响中大约 47% 是由 6 岁时的 ADHD 症状介导的。没有证据支持基因-环境相互作用可以预测 ADHD 症状。我们的研究结果强调了遗传学和儿童虐待作为成年期多动症症状预测因素的重要作用，同时也表明了通过基因-环境相关性的潜在唤起机制。