Relationships among behavioural and emotional symptoms, ADHD diagnosis, attentional complaints, and sex in young adults

Abstract

Introduction: Research has shown the importance of differentiating Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) from subjective complaints of attention difficulties. In both cases, there is a clinical manifestation that differentially affects women and men. This study assessed the potential relationships among Behavioural and Emotional Symptoms, ADHD Diagnosis, Attentional Complaints, and Sex in Young Adults between 18 and 25 years of age. Method: Using a cross-sectional design, we examined the relationships across three groups (diagnosed with ADHD, attentional complaints, and controls) in a sample of 232 participants (Meanage = 20.38 years, SDage = 1.81 years; 52% women). We employed the Adult ADHD Self Report Scale and the Toulouse Pieron Test to classify participants among groups; for measures of behavioural/emotional symptoms using the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 – Restructured Form (MMPI2-RF), through High-Order and Somatic/Cognitive Scales. Results: Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) revealed a significant relationship between group membership and the MMPI-2-RF variables after controlling for sex (p < 0.01). Post hoc tests indicated group differences across all variables except for Head Pain Complaints. Additionally, comparisons between men and women revealed significant differences in Behavioural and Emotional Dysfunction, and Gastro-Intestinal Complaints. Conclusion: The findings highlight the importance of making a diagnosis that is not only based on a list of symptoms and signs but also takes into account differences in sex, emotional/behavioural alterations, and associated connections to increased rumination in young adults, which may influence self-assessment bias and contribute to overestimation or underestimation of ADHD symptomatology.