ADHD Traits in the General Population and Their Association with Positive Aspects of ADHD

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dc.contributor.advisorHoogman , M.
dc.contributor.advisorGreven, Corina
dc.contributor.authorSchippers, Lessa
dc.date.issued2022-07-07
dc.description.abstractBackground: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental condition characterised by inattention and/or hyperactivity/impulsivity. Historically, ADHD research has focused on deficits in people with ADHD. We know from qualitative studies that people with ADHD experience positive aspects related to their ADHD. Quantitative evidence for these positive aspects is scarce, and no studies to date have investigated multiple positive aspects of ADHD in one study. Aim: To quantitatively investigate the relationship between self-reported positive aspects of ADHD and ADHD traits in the general population. Methods: We collected data from ten questionnaires investigating positive aspects related to ADHD, and ADHD traits. Our primary analysis consisted of correlation analysis between ADHD traits and hyperfocus, enthusiasm, perseverance, up for anything, curiosity, empathy, sensitivity, sociability, humour and flexibility. Exploratively, we performed factor analysis to help us understand how positive aspect occur together, and network analyses to identify how positive aspects influence each other. Results: We found positive correlations between ADHD traits and hyperfocus, sensory processing sensitivity, and cognitive flexibility. Network analysis revealed that positive aspects interact with and influence ADHD traits and each other. Conclusions: We have shown that people with high rates of ADHD traits also experience more hyperfocus, sensory processing sensitivity and cognitive flexibility. We also found aspects that were indicated previously as positive aspects of ADHD, but correlated negatively with ADHD traits (e.g., perseverance). Future studies should investigate the origin and development of positive aspects, as some of these aspects could be coping mechanisms of people with ADHD and do therefore not correlate with ADHD traits in a population sample. Moreover, it is important to test and translate our results to a clinical ADHD population, to develop psychoeducation or strength-based interventions for this group. Our results can help people with ADHD to improve their self-esteem and can reduce stigma. KEYWORDS ADHD, strengths, positive psychology, neurodiversity
dc.identifier.urihttps://theses.ubn.ru.nl/handle/123456789/14742
dc.language.isoen
dc.thesis.facultyFaculteit der Sociale Wetenschappen
dc.thesis.specialisationspecialisations::Faculteit der Sociale Wetenschappen::Researchmaster Cognitive Neuroscience::Researchmaster Cognitive Neuroscience
dc.thesis.studyprogrammestudyprogrammes::Faculteit der Sociale Wetenschappen::Researchmaster Cognitive Neuroscience
dc.thesis.typeResearchmaster
dc.titleADHD Traits in the General Population and Their Association with Positive Aspects of ADHD
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