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Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Women's Accounts of Personal Identity and Social Support

Rudd, Melissa Felice
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8322-8494
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1666365149516932

Abstract Details

2022, Master of Arts (MA), Bowling Green State University, Psychology/Clinical.
This qualitative study examines the lived experience of adult women diagnosed with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) with a specific focus on gender roles and social support. Previous research has identified a potential conflict between symptoms of ADHD and societal expectations of women, in addition to a negative correlation between levels of social support and ADHD symptoms. In the present study, in-depth semi-structured interviews that focused on societal expectations of women and social support were conducted with nine women from ages 25 to 45 diagnosed with ADD or ADHD. Results of content analysis of interview transcripts indicate that most participants perceived themselves as possessing different personal qualities than those societally expected of women. Participants described reacting to these perceived differences by attempting to modify themselves to meet societal expectations, pretending to meet expectations, or intentionally flouting societal expectations. Most participants reported that increased ADHD symptoms led to a decrease in social connectedness, whereas nearly one half of participants reported that increased social connectedness led to a decrease in ADHD symptoms. All participants reported that increased ADHD symptoms led to an increase in comorbid symptomatology. Some participants identified an optimal level of social connectedness and described an increase in ADHD and comorbid symptoms when deviating either above or below the optimal level. Future research should examine adaptive responding to conflicts between socially dictated gender norms and qualities of women with ADHD and examine the concept of an optimal middle level of social connection
Catherine Stein, Ph.D. (Committee Chair)
Dara Musher-Eizenman, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
William O’Brien, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
92 p.
Clinical Psychology
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD); Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD); women; gender; feminine gender role discrepancy strain; social expectations of women; social support

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Rudd, M. F. (2022). Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Women's Accounts of Personal Identity and Social Support [Master's thesis, Bowling Green State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1666365149516932

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Rudd, Melissa. Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Women's Accounts of Personal Identity and Social Support. 2022. Bowling Green State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1666365149516932.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Rudd, Melissa. "Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Women's Accounts of Personal Identity and Social Support." Master's thesis, Bowling Green State University, 2022. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1666365149516932

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

bgsu1666365149516932
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© 2022, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Bowling Green State University and OhioLINK.