Self-Stigma of Canadian Youth with ADHD and Their Parents

Objective: ADHD is subject to stigma from the general population. Exposure to stigma poses the risk of developing self-stigma of youth and parents, but few studies have focused on self-stigma of ADHD. Furthermore, parental factors have been implicated in self-stigma of youth, but no previous research has assessed the association between self-stigma of parents and youth. Therefore, the objective of this study was to better understand the experience of self-stigma of youth and their parents in the context of ADHD. Method: Fifty-five youth with ADHD (aged 8-17) and one parent reporter per youth completed surveys to report their experiences. Results: The results of this study found that both youth and parents reported significantly lower self-stigma scores compared to most previously published research. Parents of boys reported higher self-stigma scores compared to parents of girls. Youth who reported higher self-stigma also reported lower self-esteem. Self-stigma scores in youth were predicted by inattentive symptoms but not hyperactive/impulsive symptoms or parental self-stigma. Conclusion: Results emphasize the importance of understanding self-stigma of ADHD, symptom severity, and the need for interventions for families with ADHD.