Self-esteem in children and adolescents with and without attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: A meta-analytic review

Developmental relations between ADHD and self-esteem: evaluating peer problems as a mediating mechanism

Previous research has suggested that adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms experience poorer self-esteem than their peers. Difficulties with peer problems may represent a key mediating mechanism. Using a large UK longitudinal study (the Millennium Cohort Study), we fit longitudinal mediation models (RI-CLPMs) across ages 11,14, and 17 (n = 4912 male, n = 4825 female) to examine the (bi-)directional relations among ADHD symptoms, peer problems, and self-esteem. We additionally examined the mediating role of peer problems in the developmental relation between ADHD symptoms and self-esteem. We found some evidence of reciprocal developmental associations between ADHD symptoms, peer problems, and self-esteem; however, peer problems did not mediate the links between ADHD symptoms and later self-esteem. Results suggest that there are inter-linkages between ADHD symptoms, peer problems and self-esteem that could be taken account of in interventions, such as addressing the self-esteem effects of peer problems in social skills interventions. Future research studies addressing the relations between ADHD symptoms, peer problems, and self-esteem over shorter time lags are also recommended.

Self-Esteem in Adults With ADHD Using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale: A Systematic Review

OBJECTIVE

To summarize and analyze recent articles investigating self-esteem in adults with ADHD, focusing on the impact of demographic and clinical characteristics, and methodological issues.

METHOD

Following PRISMA guidelines, a systematic search for literature published between 2010 and 2022 was conducted in the Web of Science, Ovid, Pubmed, and EBSCO databases.

RESULTS

Eleven studies met inclusion criteria. Five of the six studies including healthy controls reported lower self-esteem in participants with ADHD. ADHD symptoms correlated negatively with self-esteem. Gender differences were not observed. Self-esteem mediated several outcomes associated with ADHD. There was a lack of studies that examined potential mechanisms behind the reduced self-esteem, and studies controlling for confounding variables.

CONCLUSION

A robust association between ADHD and low self-esteem in adults emerged, but the lack of control of confounding variables is critical to consider when interpreting the findings. Longitudinal studies addressing the limitations of the current studies are needed.