The relationship of adult ADHD and attachment style

Abstract

Objective: It is a reated finding in literature that insecure attachment with caregiver is associated with the development of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children. However, the relationship between attachment style with adult ADHD and the progression of disease to adulthood is an issue which hasn't yet researched. This study aimed to investigate these issues. Methods: Parents of children with ADHD are grouped as who take the 'only childhood ADHD' (asymptomatic ADHD, n=73) and 'adulthood ADHD' (symptomatic ADHD, n=64) diagnosis and who doesn't take ADHD diagnosis (control group, n=117). These groups are compared through the Adult Attachment Scale, which evaluates especially the attachment properties with the romantic partner in adults. Results: Although the significant no difference between the control group and asymptomatic ADHD group, it is found that the symptomatic ADHD group was significantly related with insecure attachment compared to both groups. In addition, the persistence rate of disease to adulthood in individuals with insecure attachment style was significantly higher those with secure attachment style. Conclusion: In our study, the adults diagnosed with ADHD, similar to the literature findings on children with ADHD, have a high rate of insecure attachment style. Besides, the insecure attachment which occurs early in life can be a risk factor for individuals with ADHD in persistence of disease from childhood to adulthood. However, attachment in adulthood has the features specific to this period and it should be evaluated by appropriate means. (Anatolian Journal of Psychiatry 2011; 12:274-279)