Diagnosis identity perception of adolescents with ADHD and its relationship to social participation and quality of life

Purpose: This study aimed to examine how adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) perceive their diagnosis identity and assess its relationships with ADHD symptom severity, social participation, and quality of life (QoL). Method: This cross-sectional study included 75 adolescents aged 11–18 years (M = 15.24 years, SD = 1.83) diagnosed with ADHD. Participants completed an online survey, including the ADHD Self-Report Scale, an ADHD-adapted Illness Identity Questionnaire, Child and Adolescent Scale of Participation, Youth Engagement and Satisfaction in Social Life, and Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, reliability analysis, ANOVA, and correlations. Results: A repeated measures analysis of variance revealed that the adolescents reported significantly higher positive feelings than negative feelings regarding their ADHD, F(3, 222) =19.66, p < 0.001, η² = 0.07. Pearson correlation analysis showed that a more positive ADHD identity perception was significantly correlated with lower ADHD symptom severity (r = -0.39, p < 0.001) and higher social participation (r = 0.47, p < 0.01), engagement (r = 0.48, p < 0.001), and QoL (r = 0.56, p < 0.01). Conclusion: These findings highlight the associations between ADHD identity perceptions, social participation and engagement, and QoL in adolescents. Adolescents who report more positive ADHD identity perceptions also tend to report greater social involvement and QoL, and vice versa. Understanding these perceptions can help clinicians and educators support adolescents in developing a healthier and more positive self-identity.