ADHD symptoms as a stressor leading to depressive symptoms among university students: the mediating role of perceived stress between ADHD and depression

Abstract

Abstract:Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a condition manifested in childhood andincludes symptoms, such as attention deficit, impulsivity, difficulty in concentrating, hyperactivity,and aggressive behavior. Along with the negative effects of ADHD symptoms on individuals,various psychological factors are thought to be associated with these symptoms. However, ADHDin emerging adulthood is not rare and can be conceived as the continuation of discomfort thatmight emerge during childhood and adolescence. Our mediation study involved 613 undergraduatestudents in ̇Istanbul. The participants filled out demographic information forms: Adult AttentionDeficit and Hyperactivity Disorder Self-Reported Scale (ASRS), Perceived Stress Scale and BeckDepression Inventory (BDI). Our work stressed those positive correlations found among ASRS,Perceived Stress Scale, and BDI scores. Analysis by Model 4 of Hayes Process Macro and Sobeltests showed that ADHD symptoms predicted both perceived stress and depression scores of theparticipants and dimensions of perceived stress acted as partial mediators in the positive relationshipbetween ADHD and depression scores.