Exploring Female Students’ Experiences of ADHD and its Impact on Social, Academic, and Psychological Functioning

Morley, Eden; Tyrrell, Aimee

Abstract

Objective: The aim of research is to provide greater understanding of ADHD in adult females by exploring first-hand experiences of female university students with ADHD in the UK, and the impact of such experiences on social, academic, and psychological functioning. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight adult women attending university in the UK—all clinically diagnosed with ADHD during adulthood. Results: Participants experiences were rich and insightful, identifying that many women with ADHD experience stigmatization and social discrimination, amongst other social, academic, and psychological difficulties. Conclusion: Overall, the research identifies the pressing need for greater understanding and appreciation of ADHD in females, particularly amongst health professionals.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Mar 22, 2023
• Online Publication Date: Apr 25, 2023
• Publication Date: 2023-08
• Deposit Date: Apr 27, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Apr 28, 2023
• Journal: Journal of Attention Disorders
• Print ISSN: 1087-0547
• Electronic ISSN: 1557-1246
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 27
• Issue: 10
• Pages: 1129-1155
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/10870547231168432
• Keywords: ADD/ADHD, females, gender bias, ADHD-associated problems
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/20003729
• Publisher URL: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/10870547231168432