Psicothema was founded in Asturias (northern Spain) in 1989, and is published jointly by the Psychology Faculty of the University of Oviedo and the Psychological Association of the Principality of Asturias (Colegio Oficial de Psicología del Principado de Asturias).
We currently publish four issues per year, which accounts for some 100 articles annually. We admit work from both the basic and applied research fields, and from all areas of Psychology, all manuscripts being anonymously reviewed prior to publication.
Ana Miranda1, Carmen Berenguer1, Carla Colomer1 and Rocío Roselló2
1 Universidad de Valencia and
2 Hospital Arnau de Vilanova
Background: ADHD is a chronic disorder that generally has a negative effect on socio-personal adaptation. The objectives of the current study were to examine the adaptive functioning in the daily lives of adults with ADHD compared to adults without the disorder and to test the influence of ADHD symptoms and comorbid problems on different areas of adaptive functioning. Method: Seventy-seven adults between 17 and 24 years old, 40 with a clinical diagnosis of combined-subtype ADHD in childhood and 37 controls, filled out the Weiss Functional Impairment Scale, the Weiss Symptom Record and Conners’ Adult ADHD Rating Scale. Results: Significant differences were found between adults with and without ADHD in family and academic functioning. Moreover, the ADHD symptomatology as a whole predicted significant deficiencies in the family environment and self-concept, whereas inattention specifically predicted worse academic performance and life skills. The comorbidities mainly affected the family and risky activity domains (dangerous driving, illegal behaviors, substance misuse and sexually inappropriate behaviors). Conclusions: The results illustrate the importance of developing a multimodal approach to helping ADHD adults cope with associated comorbid disorders, offering them supportive coaching in organizing daily activities, and incorporating the family and/or partner in the treatment plan.
Influencia de los síntomas del Trastorno por Déficit de Atención con Hiperactividad (TDAH) y trastornos comórbidos en el funcionamiento en la edad adulta. Antecedentes: el TDAH es un trastorno crónico que afecta la adaptación sociopersonal. Los objetivos de este estudio fueron comprobar el funcionamiento adaptativo de adultos con TDAH en comparación a adultos sin el trastorno y analizar la influencia de la inatención e hiperactividad/impulsividad y de los trastornos comórbidos en este funcionamiento. Método: la muestra incluyó 77 adultos entre 17 y 24 años, 40 con un diagnóstico de TDAH subtipo combinado y 37 controles que cumplimentaron el Weiss Functional Impairment Scale, el Weiss Symptom Record y el Conners’ Adult ADHD Rating Scale. Resultados: se encontraron diferencias significativas entre adultos con y sin TDAH en el funcionamiento familiar y académico. Además, la sintomatología de TDAH predijo déficits significativos en el ámbito familiar y en el autoconcepto y concretamente la inatención predijo un peor funcionamiento académico y de habilidades cotidianas. Las comorbilidades influyeron principalmente en los dominios familiar y de actividades de riego (conducción temeraria, conductas ilegales, abuso de sustancias y conductas sexuales inapropiadas). Conclusiones: los resultados reflejan la importancia de desarrollar un enfoque multimodal en adultos con TDAH para tratar los trastornos comórbidos, ofreciéndoles entrenamiento para la organización de actividades diarias e incorporando a la familia y/o pareja en el plan de tratamiento.
SPANISH
ENGLISH
https://doi.org/10.7334/psicothema2014.121