ADHD and career sustainability: a sustainable career ecosystem perspective

Purpose We explore the perceptions of career sustainability of individuals with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in the United States, taking a sustainable career ecosystem perspective that considers multiple sustainability indicators and different interdependent actors. Design/methodology/approach We conducted semi-structured interviews with 31 participants and analyzed the data using a template approach that allows combining deductive and inductive analysis. Findings We identify how ADHD impacts different aspects of sustainable careers, namely time, person-related factors and indicators (i.e. happiness, productivity and health). Moreover, our findings identify empirical support for two additional indicators (financial security and growth mindset) as proposed by sustainable career ecosystem theory. We suggest a disproportionate impact of ADHD on the indicators, specifically, productivity, due to contextual workplace barriers. We also identify key actors at the local ecosystem level (e.g. family members, teachers, neighbors, friends, co-workers and therapists) that play an important role in individual careers within the ecosystem, particularly regarding diagnosis and support. Originality/value We provide empirical insights that support the recently developed sustainable career ecosystem theory and suggest a differential impact of ADHD on the indicators.