An Exploration of Adolescents’ Perceptions of Their Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A Qualitative Pilot Study

Abstract

In both diagnostic and research dimensions, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) symptoms are compartmentalized into specific bbehaviours rated for their severity and pervasiveness. To date, much of the research has examined the negative aspects and consequences of ADHD. However, emerging research in adult populations has begun to examine the possibility that ADHD is not universally negative [1]. The present pilot study sought to gain a better insight into the perceptions of adolescents with ADHD and answer questions concerning their problematic behavior or symptoms and whether they hold positive perceptions of their ADHD. Three adolescent boys diagnosed with ADHD were interviewed and using thematic analysis, the researchers identified seven themes: Broad Symptoms, Feelings about the symptoms, Setting, Task-specific, Negative outcomes, Recognizing the positives, and Lack of awareness of positive attributes. This study illustrates that, overall, negative perceptions of ADHD were more prevalent than positive perceptions, though the few positive perceptions identified were congruent with the adult-based literature. Implications of the study and recommendations for the future are discussed.