- ADHD and Parent-Child Relationships
- Parents with ADHD

Parents and ADHD

The rate of sibling conflict increases when one sibling has ADHD, with the ADHD sibling’s hyperactivity and impulsivity leading to the increase. The siblings of ADHD children are at a higher risk for emotional and behavioral problems; they tend to be less happy than those without ADHD siblings as well.

ADHD and Sibling Relationships

Studies found that the presence of a child with ADHD results in increased parent stress, reduced parent efficacy, disrupted parent-child relationships, and family functioning. When having an episode of a bipolar disorder or ADHD, it can lead to the family observing the mood swings and activity level changes that might seem abnormal. An individual with a bipolar disorder might do things out of the norm such as spending drastic amounts of money when shopping or having racing thoughts that leads to distractibility. An individual with ADHD might be distracted easily, poor organizational skills, being impulsive, and inattention. Both of these conditions can affect a family member such as sharing a room with a sibling who is well organized, but the individual is disorganized. This would be the cause of racing thoughts, inattention, poor organizational skills and hyperactivity which can make it difficult for the individual to maintain their usual organization.

How do ADHD and bipolar disorders affect family relationships?

- Parents and ADHD
- ADHD and Sibling Relationships

Grinnell College

Those diagnosed with ADHD often find that their ADHD diagnosis impacts the strength and stability of their relationships. Some examples of potentially affected relationships include childhood friendships, familial relationships, romantic partnerships, and relationships with oneself.

Relationships and ADHD

Anastopoulos, A.D., Sommer, J.L. & Schatz, N.K. ADHD and family functioning. Curr Atten Disord Rep 1, 167–170 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12618-009-0023-2

ADHD and family functioning

Abé, C., Rahman, Q., Långström, N., Rydén, E., Ingvar, M., & Landén, M. (2018). Cortical brain structure and sexual orientation in adult females with bipolar disorder or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Brain and Behavior, 8(7), e00998

Abdel-Hamid M., Heinrich V., Sperber S., Wiltfang J., Kis B., Uekermann J. (2011, March 12-15). Attachment in adult patients with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Presented at Conference of 19th European Congress of Psychiatry, EPA 2011, Vienna, Austria. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1016/S0924-9338%2811%2973015-2

Ahlberg, R., Du Rietz, E., Ahnemark, E., Andersson, L. M., Werner-Kiechle, T., Lichtenstein, P., Larsson, H., & Garcia-Argibay, M. (2023). Real-life instability in ADHD from young to middle adulthood: a nationwide register-based study of social and occupational problems. BMC psychiatry, 23(1), 336. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-023-04713-z

Anastopoulos, A.D., Sommer, J.L. & Schatz, N.K. ADHD and family functioning. Curr Atten Disord Rep 1, 167–170 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12618-009-0023-2

Barkley RA, Anastopoulos AD, Guevremont DC, Fletcher KE: Adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: mother-adolescent interactions, family beliefs and conflicts, and maternal psychopathology. J Abnorm Child Psychol 1992, 20:263–288.

Beaton, D.M., Sirois, F. & Milne, E. Self-compassion and Perceived Criticism in Adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Mindfulness 11, 2506–2518 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-020-01464-w

Chronis-Tuscano, A., Raggi, V.L., Clarke, T.L. et al. Associations between Maternal Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Symptoms and Parenting. J Abnorm Child Psychol 36, 1237–1250 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10802-008-9246-4

Clarke, L., Ungerer, J., Chahoud, K., Johnson, S., & Stiefel, I. (2002). Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is associated with attachment insecurity. Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 7(2), 179–198. https://doi.org/10.1177/1359104502007002006

Cordier R., Bundy A., Hocking C., Einfeld S. (2010). Comparison of play with children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder by subtypes. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 57, 137-145.

Cueli, M., Rodríguez, C., Cañamero, L. M., Núñez, J. C., & González-Castro, P. (2020). Self-Concept and Inattention or Hyperactivity-Impulsivity Symptomatology: The Role of Anxiety. Brain sciences, 10(4), 250. https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci10040250

Gardner, D. M., & Gerdes, A. C. (2015). A Review of Peer Relationships and Friendships in Youth With ADHD. Journal of attention disorders, 19(10), 844–855. https://doi.org/10.1177/1087054713501552

Hertz, P. G., Turner, D., Barra, S., Biedermann, L., Retz-Junginger, P., Schöttle, D., & Retz, W. (2022). Sexuality in Adults With ADHD: Results of an Online Survey. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.868278

Kordahji, H., Ben-David, S. & Elkana, O. Attachment Anxiety Moderates the Association Between ADHD and Psychological Distress. Psychiatr Q 92, 1711–1724 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11126-021-09919-6

Mccoy D.(2004). The relationship between adult ADHD and romantic attachment style (Doctoral dissertation). Capella University, MN.

Mikami, A. Y., & Pfiffner, L. J. (2008). Sibling Relationships Among Children With ADHD. Journal of Attention Disorders, 11(4), 482–492. https://doi.org/10.1177/1087054706295670

Moyá, J., Stringaris, A. K., Asherson, P., Sandberg, S., & Taylor, E. (2014). The impact of persisting hyperactivity on social relationships: a community-based, controlled 20-year follow-up study. Journal of attention disorders, 18(1), 52–60. https://doi.org/10.1177/1087054712436876

Pazvantoglu O., Karabekiroglu K., Sarisoy G., Baykal S., Zabun K., Akbas S.,. . .Sahin A. R. (2011). The relationship of adult ADHD and attachment style. Anadolu Psikiyatri Dergisi, 12, 274-279.

Robin, Arthur & Payson, Eleanor. (2002). The impact of ADHD on marriage. Adhd Report, The. 10. 9-14. 10.1521/adhd.10.3.9.20553

Sandra Kooij, J.J. (2018). Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Intimate Relationships and Sexuality. In: Jannini, E., Siracusano, A. (eds) Sexual Dysfunctions in Mentally Ill Patients. Trends in Andrology and Sexual Medicine. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-68306-5_7

Storebø, O. J., Rasmussen, P. D., & Simonsen, E. (2016). Association Between Insecure Attachment and ADHD: Environmental Mediating Factors. Journal of Attention Disorders, 20(2), 187–196. https://doi.org/10.1177/1087054713501079


Relationships and ADHD References

Beaton, D. M., Sirois, F., & Milne, E. (2022). The role of self-compassion in the mental health of adults with ADHD. Journal of clinical psychology, 78(12), 2497–2512. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.23354

The role of self-compassion in the mental health of adults with ADHD

- ADHD: Insecure Attachment
- ADHD: Secure Attachment
- ADHD and Parental Attachment

ADHD and Attachment Theory

The vast majority of children with ADHD (50-70%) have some difficulty with creating and maintaining peer relationships and childhood friendships; roughly the same percent (56-76%) do not have any reciprocated friendships. The lack of these relationships has been shown to lead to internalized negativity, future substance abuse, and an increased risk of social dysfunction as they mature into adulthood

ADHD and Childhood Friendships

ADHD and Familial Relationships

- Martial Relationships
- Sexual Behavior
- Sexual Orientation

ADHD and Partnership

Those with ADHD are at a significantly higher risk of mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression, due to their low levels of self-compassion. ADHD individuals also tend to internalize instances of real and perceived criticism and feel isolated from society, furthering their isolation and unhealthy mental state.

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