Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Award Winner

Recipient of the 2022 Outstanding Master's Thesis Award - Second Place.

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Availability

Open Access Thesis

Keywords

Social networks; Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder; College students--Psychology;

Abstract

Social support is an important factor in both physical health and mental well-being. Both the quality and quantity of social support have been found to be a protective factor in some mental illnesses. Individuals with ADHD often have a hard time maintaining peer relationships because of the symptoms of the disorder. This may result in low social support quality and quantity, which may in turn affect social impairment, and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. This study examines the relation between ADHD and social support in college students. Findings show that social impairment significantly predicts lower social support quality and quantity. Specifically, those with higher social impairment and but lower ADHD symptoms experience a reduced social support quality. This may be explained by the idea that students with increased ADHD may seek out a quality friend group as a coping mechanism. Additionally, findings suggest that ADHD and social support predict overall impairment. Specifically, those with decreased quantity of social support, especially those with greater ADHD symptoms, experience greater levels of overall impairment. These results suggest that college students with ADHD symptomatology who experience greater social impairment may experience a harder time cultivating and maintaining friendships. This also suggests that due to increased impairment, they may lack the quality friendships that could act as a protective factor against negative outcomes. Clinical implications include better appraisal of social support in clients with ADHD, and treatment approaches that address social impairment.

Key Words: ADHD, College, Social Support

Year of Submission

2021

Year of Award

2022 Award

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Department

Department of Psychology

First Advisor

Elizabeth Lefler, Chair

Date Original

5-2021

Object Description

1 PDF file (vii, 63 pages)

Language

en

File Format

application/pdf

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