TY - JOUR
T1 - A qualitative and quantitative study of self-reported positive characteristics of individuals with ADHD
AU - Schippers, Lessa M.
AU - Horstman, Lisa I.
AU - Velde, Hans van de
AU - Pereira, Rob Rodrigues
AU - Zinkstok, Janneke
AU - Mostert, Jeanette C.
AU - Greven, Corina U.
AU - Hoogman, Martine
N1 - Funding Information:
We would like to thank the members of the Dutch organisation for ADHD, Dyslexia and Dyscalculia Impuls & Woortblind for their participation and input. We also would like to thank Anita Oude-Bos, Kim Josemanders, Jilke Ripping, Jeremy Hanemaaijer and Daniel Loewenstein for their help with the analysis.
Funding Information:
MH is supported by a personal Veni grant from the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO, Grant No. 91619115).
Publisher Copyright:
Copyright © 2022 Schippers, Horstman, Velde, Pereira, Zinkstok, Mostert, Greven and Hoogman.
Copyright © 2022 Schippers, Horstman, Velde, Pereira, Zinkstok, Mostert, Greven and Hoogman.
PY - 2022/10/12
Y1 - 2022/10/12
N2 - Research in Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has had a clear focus on treatment and the dysfunction in specific situation associated with the condition. However, self-report, observational and anecdotal evidence indicates that there are also positive aspects associated with ADHD. Research on the potential positive features in individuals with an ADHD diagnosis is still limited, especially studies with larger representative samples. Here we performed qualitative research to identify positive aspects and strengths associated with ADHD in a large convenience sample from the Dutch organization for people with ADHD, dyslexia and dyscalculia. We sent out open-ended questionnaires to the members of the organization, asking what they consider to be positive aspects of their ADHD. From the responses of individuals with ADHD (n = 206), we extracted 116 codes, which were assigned to thirteen subthemes, which in turn led to five themes. These themes were: Creativity, Being dynamic, Flexibility, Socio-affective skills, and Higher-order cognitive skills. Core symptoms of ADHD such as impulsivity and hyperactivity were also considered positive aspects of ADHD by a minority of participants. After showing our results to a group of additional individuals with ADHD (focus group) they confirmed the identified positive aspects of ADHD. They also helped us with the interpretation of our findings and mentioned certain positive aspects to be a consequence of living with ADHD (being open minded and being honest). In conclusion, experiencing positive aspects seems to be common in ADHD as almost all participants reported positive aspect of ADHD, these aspects cover many different domains. Awareness about ADHD's strengths might help individuals with ADHD and their environment to better cope with, accept or embrace their diagnosis and for example make educational or occupational choices that fit them well. To incorporate these positive aspects in the understanding of ADHD, future research should focus on quantifying strengths in ADHD, and on investigating the link between these aspects and clinical characteristics and how this new knowledge can be implemented in psychoeducation and find its way to education and occupational settings.
AB - Research in Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has had a clear focus on treatment and the dysfunction in specific situation associated with the condition. However, self-report, observational and anecdotal evidence indicates that there are also positive aspects associated with ADHD. Research on the potential positive features in individuals with an ADHD diagnosis is still limited, especially studies with larger representative samples. Here we performed qualitative research to identify positive aspects and strengths associated with ADHD in a large convenience sample from the Dutch organization for people with ADHD, dyslexia and dyscalculia. We sent out open-ended questionnaires to the members of the organization, asking what they consider to be positive aspects of their ADHD. From the responses of individuals with ADHD (n = 206), we extracted 116 codes, which were assigned to thirteen subthemes, which in turn led to five themes. These themes were: Creativity, Being dynamic, Flexibility, Socio-affective skills, and Higher-order cognitive skills. Core symptoms of ADHD such as impulsivity and hyperactivity were also considered positive aspects of ADHD by a minority of participants. After showing our results to a group of additional individuals with ADHD (focus group) they confirmed the identified positive aspects of ADHD. They also helped us with the interpretation of our findings and mentioned certain positive aspects to be a consequence of living with ADHD (being open minded and being honest). In conclusion, experiencing positive aspects seems to be common in ADHD as almost all participants reported positive aspect of ADHD, these aspects cover many different domains. Awareness about ADHD's strengths might help individuals with ADHD and their environment to better cope with, accept or embrace their diagnosis and for example make educational or occupational choices that fit them well. To incorporate these positive aspects in the understanding of ADHD, future research should focus on quantifying strengths in ADHD, and on investigating the link between these aspects and clinical characteristics and how this new knowledge can be implemented in psychoeducation and find its way to education and occupational settings.
KW - ADHD
KW - neurodevelopmental disorders
KW - neurodiversity
KW - participatory research
KW - qualitative research
KW - strengths
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85140618218&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.922788
DO - 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.922788
M3 - Article
C2 - 36311492
AN - SCOPUS:85140618218
SN - 1664-0640
VL - 13
JO - Frontiers in Psychiatry
JF - Frontiers in Psychiatry
M1 - 922788
ER -