ADHD Characteristics as Predictors of Adult Attachment Types Debbie J. Pope

1
ADHD Characteristics as Predictors of Adult
Attachment Types Debbie J. Pope Jenna L.
Edwards

• Background
• Adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity
  Disorder (ADHD) may show impaired quality of
  attachment and increased fear and avoidance in
  romantic relationships (Abdel-Hamid et al.,
  2011).
• In children, ADHD is consistent with insecure
  attachments. However it is unknown whether these
  children continue to experience dysfunctional
  attachment into adulthood (Clarke et al., 2002).
• An excess of ADHD-related behaviours
  (inattention, impulsivity, hyperactivity) will
  not elicit warmth, care and proximity, therefore
  possible that elevated ADHD symptomatology may
  have a profound effect on attachment type (Comer
  Gold, 2012).

• Aim of Study
• To establish whether self-report measures of
  inattention and hyperactivity present in adult
  participants can predict adult attachment types.

Participants 105 male (N30) and female (N75
undergraduate students, aged 18-46 years (M21,
SD4.87)

• Materials
• Two self-report questionnaires
• Conners Adult ADHD Rating Scales (CAARS)
  (Conners, Erhardt Sparrow, 2004)
• - 30 statements
• - rate frequency of behaviours (e.g. I am
  always on the go from not at all to very
  much) from not at all to very much
• - 10 minutes to complete
• Relationship Scales Questionnaire (RSQ Griffin
  Bartholomew, 1994)
• - indirect measure of Bartholomew and Horowitz
  (1991) four attachment prototypes (see below)
• - 30 phrases
• - rate statements by the extent to which each
  statement best describes their characteristic
  style in close relationships by not at all like
  me to very much like me
• - 10 minutes to complete

Attribute 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Gender - -27 -.30 -.14 -.15 -.03 -.08
2. CAARS Inattention - - .76 -.23 .22 .18 .19
3. CAARS Hyperactivity - - - -.12 .14 .20 .13
4. RSQ Secure - - - - .63 .44 .35
5. RSQ Fearful - - - - - .37 .53
6. RSQ Preoccupied - - - - - - .09
7. RSQ Dismissing - - - - - - -
Figure 3. Intercorrelation Matrix of Gender, ADHD
and Adult Attachment Measures (N105)

• Main Findings
• Males score higher than females on both
  inattention and hyperactivity
• Controlling for gender, inattention level
  predicts level of Secure attachment (higher
  inattention rating associated with lower Secure
  attachment rating)
• Controlling for gender, inattention level
  predicts level of Fearful attachment (higher
  inattention rating associated with higher
  Fearful attachment rating)
• Inattention scores do not predict rating of
  Preoccupied or Dismissing Attachment types
• Hyperactivity scores do not predict ratings of
  Adult Attachment Type (Secure, Fearful,
  Dismissing or Preoccupied)
• Inattention, rather than hyperactivity, in
  children may be more likely to predict poorer
  outcomes for future adult relationships
• Implications for social and emotional
  interventions and support

Contact Dr Debbie Pope, Email
debbie.pope_at_edgehill.ac.uk