Depression in college students with ADHD

UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Allison C. Bray (Creator)
Institution
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/
Advisor
Arthur Anastopoulos

Abstract: The primary aim of this study was to determine whether students with ADHD endorse higher rates of depressive disorders and depressive symptoms than their non-ADHD college student peers. A second aim was to explore whether protective factors are associated with lower rates of depression in college students with ADHD. Forty-six students with ADHD were enrolled in this study, and compared to a demographically-equivalent group of 46 college students without ADHD on measures assessing depressive disorders, depressive symptoms, and protective factors. The ADHD group more frequently endorsed a depressive episode sometime during college, although they were not necessarily more likely to endorse a current depressive episode. The ADHD group also endorsed more current depressive symptoms than their non-ADHD peers. In terms of protective factors, compared to students with ADHD only, students with ADHD and depression in college endorsed greater utilization of psychological supports and a lesser degree of support from friends during college, as well as greater total protective factors prior to college. ADHD status, a history of depression prior to college, and lesser support from friends were found to predict current depressive symptoms in regression analyses. Overall, findings from these analyses suggest that some of the "protective factors" as measured in this study may better represent outcomes associated with ADHD. Post-hoc analyses revealed that impairment during college and depressive cognitions significantly predicted current depressive symptoms as well. In sum, findings from this study suggest that students with ADHD are at increased risk for experiencing depressive disorders and depressive symptoms in college compared to students without ADHD. Clinical implications as well as avenues for future research are discussed.

Additional Information

Publication
Dissertation
Language: English
Date: 2014
Keywords
ADHD, Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, College Students, Depression
Subjects
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder
Depression, Mental
College students $x Mental health

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