Dataset Information

"A bit lost"-Living with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in the transition between adolescence and adulthood: an exploratory qualitative study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) begins in childhood and in many cases persists into adulthood. The transition from adolescence to adulthood for young people with ADHD is a vulnerable time and can be associated with comorbid conditions and unfavorable outcomes. Thus, further studies are needed to explore the characteristics of the transition period in emerging adulthood. The overall aim of this study was to gain increased knowledge of emerging adults' experience of living with ADHD in the transition from adolescence to adulthood. This is a follow-up from a previous qualitative study that examined how young people experience receiving and living with a diagnosis of ADHD.

Method

The study has a qualitative retrospective design. Seven participants were included in this study using a purposive sampling method. We re-invited the same participants who were interviewed in 2015-2016 and conducted in-depth interviews. The data were subjected to Malterud's systematic text condensation (STC).

Results

Four crosscutting themes were identified from our analysis: (1) low level of knowledge about ADHD and treatment options; (2) barriers to seeking and accessing help; (3) developing self-help strategies; and (4) a preference to discontinued medication use.

Conclusion

The participants emphasized a need for more information about ADHD in transition phases and support, both from professionals and peers, about finding ways to live meaningful lives. The treatment they had been offered was particularly linked to symptom reduction and medication use. A more appropriate focus would have been linked to how they, as citizens, could gain knowledge and skills to live meaningful lives with ADHD.

SUBMITTER: Rasmussen IL

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10785427 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

"A bit lost"-Living with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in the transition between adolescence and adulthood: an exploratory qualitative study.

Rasmussen Inger Lise IL Schei Jorun J Ørjasæter Kristin B KB

BMC psychology 20240111 1

<h4>Background</h4>Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) begins in childhood and in many cases persists into adulthood. The transition from adolescence to adulthood for young people with ADHD is a vulnerable time and can be associated with comorbid conditions and unfavorable outcomes. Thus, further studies are needed to explore the characteristics of the transition period in emerging adulthood. The overall aim of this study was to gain increased knowledge of emerging adults' experience ...[more]

PMID: 38212821

Similar Datasets

Project description:ImportanceThe prescribing of stimulant medications for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has increased in the US. Prescription stimulants are one of the most commonly misused controlled substances during adolescence. Despite a 10-fold increase in stimulant-related overdose deaths in the past decade, the transitions from prescription stimulants to illicit stimulants (eg, cocaine, methamphetamine) remain relatively unknown in longitudinal population-based studies.ObjectiveTo determine the longitudinal transitions from adolescents' prescription stimulant exposure (ie, stimulant therapy for ADHD and prescription stimulant misuse [PSM]) to later cocaine and methamphetamine use during young adulthood.Design, setting, and participantsNational longitudinal multicohort panels of US 12th grade public and private school students in the coterminous US were assessed annually (baseline cohort years 2005-2017 [between March and June]) and followed up across 3 waves over a 6-year period to 23 to 24 years of age (follow-up years 2011-2021 [between April and October]).ExposureHistory of self-reported stimulant therapy for ADHD at baseline.Main outcomes and measuresIncidence and prevalence of past-year use of cocaine and methamphetamine during young adulthood (19-24 years of age).ResultsAmong 5034 students enrolled at baseline (2589 [52.0%] female), 470 (10.2% [95% CI, 9.4%-11.2%]) reported use of stimulant therapy for ADHD, 671 (14.6% [95% CI, 13.5%-15.6%]) reported PSM only, and 3459 (75.2% [95% CI, 73.9%-76.4%]) reported neither (and served as population controls). In controlled analyses, there were no statistically significant differences between adolescents who reported stimulant therapy for ADHD at baseline compared with population controls in the adjusted odds of transitioning to later cocaine or methamphetamine initiation or use during young adulthood (19-24 years of age). In contrast, PSM during adolescence in those not treated with stimulants for ADHD had significantly higher odds of transitioning to later cocaine or methamphetamine initiation and use during young adulthood compared with population controls (adjusted odds ratio, 2.64 [95% CI, 1.54-4.55]).Conclusions and relevanceIn this multicohort study, adolescents' stimulant therapy for ADHD was not associated with increased risk of later cocaine and methamphetamine use during young adulthood. Adolescents' prescription stimulant misuse offered a signal for subsequent cocaine or methamphetamine use and warrants monitoring and screening.

Dataset Information

"A bit lost"-Living with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in the transition between adolescence and adulthood: an exploratory qualitative study.

Background

Method

Results

Conclusion

Publications

"A bit lost"-Living with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in the transition between adolescence and adulthood: an exploratory qualitative study.

Similar Datasets

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