Resilience and ADHD: What is New?

Abstract

ADHD (Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is a neurodevelopmental disorder, characterized by inattentive, impulsive or hyperactive behaviors that are manifested in a disproportional manner, considering the age and level of development of the individual. Resilience (RS) is a construct understood as being a dynamic process of positive adaptation within the context of great adversity. Studies about RS in ADHD may provide new therapeutic strategies. The aim of this study was to conduct an integrative review of the literature with the purpose of seeking to understand the aspects of RS and ADHD that have been studied over the last few years, as well as which advancements and new approaches have been made with regard to management of the disability. An integrative review of the literature was made in the databases of PubMed, SciELO, Lilacs and PsycINFO with the descriptors “TDAH e RESILIENCIA” and “ADHD AND RESILIENCE”. The articles included were those published in scientific journals over the last 20 years, written in the Portuguese, English or Spanish language, and within the age-range of the sample of up to 18 years. The review studies were excluded. In total 119 articles were identified, and after triage, 57 eligible articles remained. After application of the inclusion and exclusion criteria, the abstracts of the studies identified and removal of the duplicated studies, 09 studies were included and revised, of which 08 had a quantitative and 01 a qualitative approach. The articles pointed out strong relations between ADHD and low levels of RS, with increase in negative outcomes in adolescence, such as academic failure, lower self-esteem and development of anxiety and depression disorders. In a similar manner family members of individuals with ADHD also have more propensity to developing anxiety and depression disorders, which may be explained by the fact they share endophenotypes and by their exposure to similar factors that induce RS, such as family conflicts and adversities.