ADHD, stigma and continuum beliefs: A population survey on public attitudes towards children and adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. (December 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Speerforck, Sven; Stolzenburg, Susanne; Hertel, Johannes; Grabe, Hans J.; Strauß, Maria; Carta, Mauro G.; Angermeyer, Matthias C.; Schomerus, Georg
• Is Part Of: Psychiatry research. Volume 282(2019)
• Publication Date: 2019-12
• Subjects: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, ADHD -- Stigma -- Continuum beliefs -- Emotions -- Social distance -- Contact; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; Psychiatry -- periodicals; Psychiatrie -- Périodiques; 616.89
• DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2019.112570
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0165-1781

Abstract

Highlights: First population study that investigates stigma and continuum beliefs related to symptoms of ADHD using weighted prevalence estimates and path models. Beliefs in a continuum for ADHD symptoms were highly prevalent and about one quarter of respondents stated to have personal experience with the depicted symptoms. The belief in a continuum of symptoms was associated with more prosocial reactions to an adult and a child with ADHD. Abstract: ADHD is a mental illness of high epidemiological and clinical importance, embedded in a complex socio-cultural context. We estimated the prevalence of attitudes related to ADHD in a representative population survey in Germany ( n = 1008) after presenting an unlabelled vignette of a child or an adult with ADHD. Relations of personal experience, interpersonal contact and continuum beliefs with emotions and social distance were calculated using path models. About two-thirds of the German public indicated they believe in a continuum of ADHD symptoms, and half stated that they know somebody among family or close friends with a comparable problem. About one-quarter of respondents felt annoyed by the depicted person. While an adult with ADHD was most frequently accepted as a work colleague or neighbor, about one-quarter of the German general population rejected renting a room or giving a job recommendation. Personal Experience (both vignettes) and contact (adult vignette) were related to a higher belief in a continuum of symptoms, while explanation of variance was low. A belief in a continuum of symptoms was related to more pro-social reactions and less social distance. This study indicates that emphasizing aspects of a continuum of symptoms should be considered within the disorder model of ADHD.