Investigation of Coping Styles and Related Variables in Adolescents with and without ADHD

Abstract

The study aimed to examine the relationship between coping styles, cognitive errors, and perceived parental behaviors of adolescents diagnosed and nondiagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and to examine the predictors of coping style in adolescents with ADHD. Another aim of the study was to compare these variables in adolescents with and without ADHD. Data were collected using the Personal Information Form, Perceived Stress Scale, Ways of Coping Inventory, The Children’s Negative Cognitive Errors Questionnaire, Leuven Adolescent Perceived Parenting Scale and Conners Rating Scale. The study analyses included 79 adolescents with ADHD and 70 without ADHD. In ADHD group, there was a negative correlation between active coping styles and negative cognitive errors and a positive correlation with parental responsiveness, whereas there was a positive correlation between passive coping and negative cognitive errors. In ADHD group, 34% of passive coping was predicted by cognitive errors. It was found that coping styles and cognitive errors did not differ in adolescents with and without ADHD, but parents' responsiveness was lower, and psychological control was higher in the ADHD group. Based on the findings, it was concluded that improving family relationships in families with children with ADHD and developing alternative thinking methods in adolescents would enhance active coping. There is a paucity of studies on the diagnosed adolescent ADHD group in the existing literature. Furthermore, this study is the only one to examine the adolescent's characteristics and the behaviors of both parents together. For these reasons, it is believed that this study will make a valuable contribution to the existing literature.