Abstract
Objective: The aim of this study was to examine how attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms play an interaction effect on the association between psychosocial work environments and health (psychological distress/work engagement) among workers.Methods: This is a cross-sectional study of 2,693 employees at a pharmaceutical company using a self-administered questionnaire evaluating ADHD symptoms (Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale Screener), psychosocial work environments (job demands, job control and social support), and health outcomes (psychological distress; K6, and work engagement; Utrecht Work Engagement Scale). Multiple regression analyses were applied to assess the interaction between ADHD symptoms and psychosocial work environments on health outcomes.Results: The prevalence of workers with ADHD symptoms was 5.9% (n = 159). Significant interaction effects of ADHD symptoms × job control and ADHD symptoms × social support were observed (β = −0.067, p < 0.01 and β = −0.052, p < 0.01, respectively) on psychological distress after adjustment of age, sex, occupation and education. The interaction effect of ADHD symptoms × each psychosocial work environment was not observed on work engagement.Conclusions: Job control and social support were more influential factors that were related to psychological distress in accordance with ADHD symptoms. This study also found no difference of the interaction between psychosocial work environments and ADHD symptoms on work engagement. To the best of our knowledge, this study was first to clarify the effect of ADHD symptoms on the association between psychosocial work environments and health outcomes (psychological distress/work engagement). These findings can aid employers how to arrange better work environments for workers with ADHD symptoms.
Highlights
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neuropsychiatric disorder characterized by inattention, excessive motor activity, and impulsivity
It is likely that some workers with mental disorders have undiagnosed ADHD or subthreshold ADHD [10, 11], and these individuals with ADHD symptoms may be at a higher risk for developing a mental health disorder
Greater job control was associated with lower psychological distress, and ADHD symptoms strengthened the association. These findings suggest that greater levels of job control are important to maintain mental health for workers with ADHD symptoms
Summary
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neuropsychiatric disorder characterized by inattention, excessive motor activity, and impulsivity. Adults with ADHD experience difficulties in social interactions and are more likely to suffer from depression and social anxiety disorder [2]. Adults with ADHD are at increased risk of accidents, trauma, and workplace injuries [4]. Individuals with ADHD are common in the workplace. It is known that ADHD symptoms exist on a continuum, and there are people with subthreshold ADHD. Similar to adults with ADHD, those with subthreshold ADHD are at risk of adverse outcomes [8, 9]. It is likely that some workers with mental disorders have undiagnosed ADHD or subthreshold ADHD [10, 11], and these individuals with ADHD symptoms may be at a higher risk for developing a mental health disorder
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