Date Presented 04/03/2025
The study examines attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) diagnosis identity among adolescents and its impact on social participation, involvement, and quality of life (QoL). Results showed that higher ADHD acceptance is linked to better social participation, involvement, and QoL.
Primary Author and Speaker: Liron Lamash
Contributing Authors: Adi Stern, Noor Abu Raya-Ghanayem
PURPOSE: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity, affecting daily functioning and development. Adolescents with ADHD often struggle to form positive self-identities. Illness/diagnosis identity refers to how much an individual incorporates a chronic condition into their self-concept and daily life. Embracing the diagnosis may enhance better coping with social participation and health-related quality of life (QoL). This study assesses the diagnosis identity of adolescents with ADHD and its relationships to social participation, involvement, and QoL.
DESIGN: This cross-sectional study included 75 adolescents diagnosed with ADHD, aged 12 to 18 years (M = 15.25, SD = 1.82). Participants were recruited via social media and interest groups.
METHOD: Participants completed an online anonymous questionnaire to assess their ADHD diagnosis identity perception (IIQ; Oris et al., 2016), social participation (CASP; Bedell, 2009), social involvement (Yes-LIFE; Lamash & Stern, 2024), and quality of life (PedsQL; WHO, 2012). Data analysis included descriptive statistics, repeated measures MANOVA, and Pearson correlations.
RESULTS: A significant difference was found between the IIQ dimensions, F(3,222) = 19.66, p <.001, η2 = .07. Post hoc comparison indicated that ADHD Acceptance (M = 3.47, SD = .99) was significantly higher than Enrichment (M=3.08, SD=.95) and Engulfment (M = 2.74, SD = .99). Significant correlations were found between ADHD diagnosis identity and social participation (r = .47, p <.01), social involvement ( r = .48, p <.001), and QoL (r = .56, p <.01).
CONCLUSIONS: Findings highlight that adolescents with ADHD who have higher acceptance of their diagnosis tend to experience better social participation, social involvement, and quality of life. It is important to foster a positive ADHD diagnosis identity to enhance adolescents’ well-being and social integration.
References
Oris, L., Rassart, J., Prikken, S., Verschueren, M., Goubert, L., Moons, P., … Luyckx, K. (2016). Illness identity in adolescents and emerging adults with type 1 diabetes: Introducing the illness identity questionnaire. Diabetes Care, 39(5), 757–763. https://doi.org/10.2337/dc15-2559
Bedell, G. (2009). Further validation of the Child and Adolescent Scale of Participation (CASP). Developmental Neurorehabilitation, 12(5), 342–351. https://doi.org/10.3109/17518420903087277
World Health Organization. (2012). WHOQOL user manual. World Health Organization, Geneva.
