Overcoming the Odds: Does Social Support Make a Difference for Young People With ADHD Symptoms?

Abstract

Objectives: Young adults with ADHD symptoms have a risk of negative outcomes in cognitive development, emotional development, and social developmental problems. The research question is: Does social support make a difference for children with ADHD symptoms? Method: Children born in 1984 were interviewed at age 25. The survey then obtained a 67% response rate which measures up to 2,980 interviewed persons. Validated constructs were used to measure outcomes, mediator, and ADHD symptoms. Results: Young people with ADHD symptoms have an increased rate of low educational achievement, low self-esteem, loneliness, suicide considerations, PTSD symptoms, behavioral problems, criminal behavior, peer problems, and substance abuse. Social support is a partial mediator for the negative outcomes except for criminal behavior and substance abuse problems. Conclusions: Loss of social support partly explains the mentioned negative outcomes and we would suggest that future research also look for other mediators. These results indicate potential interventions.