EFFECTS OF NOISE POLLUTION ON ATTENTION DEFICIT AND HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER IN COLLEGE STUDENTS

Abstract

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) springs in childhood and is described with behaviors like impulsivity, inattention, struggling with paying attention and hyperactivity. Causes can be various such as inheritance, neurological/neuropsychological or environmental. People get affected not only psychologically, but also physiologically. Noisy environments usually affect people with ADHD as well. The inattention symptoms of ADHD become clearer as the noise gets louder. The relation between ADHD and noise is aimed to be studied in this research. 622 individuals participated in the research in Istanbul Okan University. CESVA DC 311 model device was used in 8 different places in order to measure noise levels in the first part of the survey. Next, in order to study the relation between ADHD and noise, Adult Self-Report scale was used on students. The analysis indicated that average of impulsivity and hyperactivity of participants in Humanities and Social Sciences Faculty is much lower than those in Wellness Center. A significant difference in ADHD total point average was found. By Tukey test, the origin of difference was analyzed, and it was observed that total average points of participants in Humanities and Social Sciences Faculty was significantly lower than those in Wellness Center. According to unpaired T-test data in demographic parameter studies, no significant difference between these parameters and ADHD points was found.