Date Presented 03/22/24
This research highlights food-related occupational issues experienced by adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and key strength-based intervention strategies. Practitioners can use these findings to support clients with ADHD in food-related occupational participation.
Primary Author and Speaker: Peyton Annaree Lawson Gemmell
Contributing Authors: Antoine Bailliard
PURPOSE: Adults with ADHD experience occupational issues due to challenges with inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity, planning, motivation, sensory processing, and emotional regulation. Food-related occupations (e.g., eating, meal preparation, grocery shopping, cooking, food storage/organization, cleanup) are often especially challenging. The relationship between disordered eating and ADHD is documented by research; however, the literature lacks an occupational perspective (Kaisari et al., 2017). This study documents the food-related occupational experiences of adults with ADHD and their suggested strength-based interventions.
DESIGN: Using qualitative research methods, we completed a thematic content analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2006) of posts on TikTok (Literat, 2021) by adults with ADHD regarding their experiences with food-related occupations.
METHOD: Using specific search terms about ADHD and food-related occupations, we viewed videos in the order they appeared, and took detailed notes on content (including video descriptions and caption), comments, and metadata (e.g., date of posting, number of likes, comments). We analyzed content documenting experiences of food-related occupational issues or strength-based strategies until we reached saturation. Then, we thematically coded and sorted the data.
RESULTS: Results include themes of food-related occupational issues related to ADHD symptomatology. Intervention ideas include cognitive scaffolds and environmental modifications for each food-related occupation.
CONCLUSION: Due to the lifetime prevalence of ADHD in adults, 8% (USDHHS, 2017), and the importance of food-related occupations as ADLs, it is important for practitioners to understand the occupational impact of ADHD. Study findings can be used to support the occupational participation of clients with ADHD. There is a need for additional research on the food-related occupational experiences of adults with ADHD and specific occupational interventions.
References
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa
Kaisari, P., Dourish, C. T., & Higgs, S. (2017). Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and disordered eating behaviour: A systematic review and a framework for future research. Clinical Psychology Review, 53, 109–121. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2017.03.002
Literat, I. (2021). “Teachers Act Like We’re Robots”: TikTok as a Window Into Youth Experiences of Online Learning During COVID-19. AERA Open, 7. https://doi.org/10.1177/2332858421995537
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2017). Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). National Institute of Mental Health. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd
