Differences in Social Anxiety and Friendship Quality Among Adolescents With ADHD and Their Typically Developing Peers

Abstract

Objective:

This study examined differences in social anxiety and friendship quality between Egyptian adolescents diagnosed with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and their typically developing (TD) peers. It further investigated gender differences within the ADHD group and examined whether participant group (ADHD vs. TD) moderates the direction and strength of this relationship.

Methods:

The sample included 383 adolescents aged 13–17 years (M = 15.03, SD = 1.44), comprising 173 adolescents diagnosed with ADHD and 210 TD peers. Using a comparative descriptive design, participants completed two culturally adapted measures assessing social anxiety and friendship quality.

Results:

Results indicated that the participant group did not significantly moderate the association between social anxiety and friendship quality. Adolescents with ADHD reported higher social anxiety and lower friendship quality than TD peers. No gender differences emerged for social anxiety; however, girls with ADHD reported higher friendship quality than boys, particularly in the domains of support, closeness, and conflict resolution.

Conclusion:

These findings highlight the presence of significant social-emotional challenges among Egyptian adolescents with ADHD and suggest the importance of future research to determine whether culturally adapted interventions would enhance treatment outcomes compared to standard evidence-based approaches in this population.