Background ADHD is commonly associated with higher levels of depression, anxiety and stress, and lower wellbeing, whereas self-compassion is associated with lower levels of depression, anxiety and stress, and higher levels of wellbeing. People with ADHD are more likely to have lower levels of self-compassion, therefore this study aimed to investigate the association between ADHD, self-compassion and mental health.
Hypotheses It was hypothesised that self-compassion would explain why adults with a diagnosis of ADHD have higher levels of illbeing (stress, depression, anxiety) and have lower levels of wellbeing.
Sample Characteristics and Sample Size 543 adults with ADHD (62.72% female, aged between 18-17), and 313 adults without ADHD (66.45% female, aged between 18-82) were included in the final sample of the study.
Design Participants completed a number of questionnaires online, including measures of ADHD traits (Adult Self Report Scale -V1.1), self-compassion (Self-Compassion Scale), depression & anxiety (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), stress (Perceived Stress Scale), psychological wellbeing, social wellbeing and emotional wellbeing (Mental Health Continuum Scale - Short Form). A Structural Equation Model was used to assess the mediating effect of self-compassion on the relationship between ADHD and wellbeing (psychological, emotional and social), and the relationship between ADHD and ill-being (depression, anxiety and stress).
Results The lower levels of self-compassion associated with having a diagnosis of ADHD, partially explained why levels of wellbeing (psychological, emotional and social) were lower in adults with ADHD, and why levels of ill-being (depression, anxiety and stress) were higher in adults with ADHD.
Scientific Contribution Low self-compassion is a contributing factor to the poor mental health that adults with ADHD are vulnerable to. This has clinical implications for the treatment, indicating that self-compassion may be a potential target to subsequently improve levels of wellbeing, and reduce levels of ill-being in this population.