MALADAPTIVE COPING STRATEGIES AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN ADULTS AT RISK OF ADHD

As ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) becomes more widely known and explored, An increasing number of individuals find themselves discovering that they may be experiencing the symptoms without ever seeking a formal diagnosis. In many of these cases the quality of life in adults experiencing ADHD symptoms is lower due to the lack of appropriate recognition and provided support. This study therefore aimed to explore the relationship between maladaptive coping strategies and the perceived quality of life (QOL) in adults at risk of ADHD. This survey uses a total of 138 participant responses who have completed an online survey which included a ADHD screening tool (ASRS-5), Brief COPE questionnaire (6 maladaptive coping subscales included) and an Adult ADHD Quality of Life Questionnaire (AAQOL-29). Individuals who have scored ≥14 on the ADHD screening tool have been classified as a ‘at risk’ group (n=27), and the participants who have scored < 14 points on the ADHD screening tool have been assigned as the control group (n=111). The results have indicated that the at-risk group have scored significantly higher maladaptive coping scores (p<0.001). The at-risk group have also scored lower on the perceived quality of life questionnaire (p<0.001) in comparison to the control group. The study also found a negative correlation (r = –.323) between the maladaptive coping and perceived quality of life in the at-risk group, however it did not reach a statistical significance (p=.101). In conclusion, adults at risk for ADHD show significantly higher use of maladaptive coping and lower quality of life, with a potential link between the two, highlighting the importance of identifying these patterns early. Future and further research is critical to minimize the future damage that undiagnosed ADHD may have on individuals and their quality of life.