Perceived Social Support on the Relationship Between ADD/ADHD and Both Anxious and Depressive Symptoms Among Canadian Adults. Issue 3 (February 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Connolly, Ross D.; Lamont, Allyson; Speed, David
• Is Part Of: Journal of attention disorders. Volume 27:Issue 3(2023)
• Page Start: 283
• Page End: 293
• Publication Date: 2023-02
• Subjects: ADD/ADHD -- social support -- anxiety -- depression -- adult; Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder -- Periodicals; Attention -- Periodicals; 616.8589
• DOI: 10.1177/10870547221136227
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1087-0547

Abstract

Objective: The primary goal of the present research was to examine whether the relationships that social support demonstrates with both anxiety and depression varied between adults with and without ADD/ADHD in a Canadian sample. Method: Data were obtained from the 2012 Canadian Community Health Survey–Mental Health ( N ≥ 16, 354). Presence of social support, diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and experience of major depressive episodes (MDEs) were estimated in the self-report ADD/ADHD and non-ADD/ADHD groups. Results: Although social support was negatively associated with having GAD or experiencing an MDE, and self-report ADD/ADHD was positively associated with these outcomes. Presence of self-report ADD/ADHD did not significantly modify the relationships between social support and GAD or MDE. Conclusion: Social support may be a protective factor against symptoms of anxiety and depression in the general Canadian population, for adults with and without ADHD.