Coping with emotional dysregulation among young adults with ADHD: A mixed-method study of self-awareness and strategies in daily life

• Published in: Neuropsychological rehabilitation 2024-09, Vol.34 (8), p.1161-1185
• Main Authors: Ben-Dor Cohen, Maayan, Nahum, Mor, Traub Bar-Ilan, Ruthie, Eldar, Eran, Maeir, Adina
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Activities of daily living; Adaptation, Psychological - physiology; Adolescent; Adult; Affective Symptoms - etiology; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity; Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; Awareness - physiology; Content analysis; Coping strategies; Cues; Ecological Momentary Assessment; Emotional regulation; Emotional Regulation - physiology; Emotions; Female; Functional impairment; Humans; Long term; Male; Mixed methods research; Self awareness; Self Concept; Self evaluation; Self regulation; Self-recognition; Selfawareness; Time; Variability; Young Adult; Young adults
• ISSN: 0960-2011; 1464-0694; 1464-0694
• DOI: 10.1080/09602011.2023.2279181

Emotional dysregulation (ED) impacts functional outcomes among individuals with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Self-awareness and strategies may enhance coping with ED yet are rarely studied in ADHD. To explore ED-related self-awareness and strategies in daily life of adults with ADHD, and to examine the interrelations between them and their association with symptoms. Sixty young adults with ADHD participated in a mixed-method study. At baseline, self-awareness and strategies were assessed using the Self-Regulation Skills Interview (SRSI); ADHD symptoms were self-rated using the ASRS symptom checklist. Then, symptoms were rated over 5-days using ecological momentary assessment (EMA). Significant challenges in self-awareness and strategies were demonstrated quantitatively and qualitatively. Awareness of ED was associated with variability of ADHD symptoms on EMA yet not with symptom severity. Qualitative content analysis revealed a range of self-awareness levels, which were related to noticing ED-related cues and understanding contextual factors predictive of ED. Self-awareness and strategies were significantly associated. Strategies varied regarding effort, individual preference and temporality. Variability of ADHD symptoms was negatively associated with self-awareness of ED. Strategy selection in daily-life among adults with ADHD may be affected by self-awareness and by a possible trade-off between short-term effort and long-term effectiveness.