Thriving for Nothing? The Hidden Costs of Thriving for Employees With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Their Employers

Abstract

Research has shown that thriving at work leads to positive outcomes for both organizations and employees. A critical element of thriving is self-regulation, which enables employees to effectively manage their emotions and behaviors in alignment with their long-term goals. However, there is a limited understanding of how employees experience thriving when self-regulation is impaired. In this article, we integrate thriving theory and one of its central elements, self-regulation, with research on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) which has shown that the condition is associated with reduced and sometimes severely impaired self-regulation. Empirically, we explore how employees with ADHD experience thriving at work using a qualitative study of working individuals. In contrast to previous findings, our study uncovers a dark side of thriving for employees with ADHD, with negative consequences for their wellbeing and growth opportunities, and ultimately an increased likelihood of voluntary quitting. In our analysis, we explain why, despite an initial positive boost in productivity, thriving ends up being a harmful process for employees with ADHD. We argue that low self-regulation, together with low self-esteem and fear of failure, drive them to work excessively and neglect caring for themselves and their families. We develop recommendations for employees with ADHD and their companies to stop this negative downward spiral.