From your research of both articles, it is evident that there is a negative effect on
friendships in those who have a diagnosis of ADHD. Considering both of these
studies were focused on the adolescent population, I agree, it would be beneficial
to look at how adults are affected by this in particular. Thus, I would like to utilize
my findings to co-conduct a descriptive study. Extending off of Beristain &
Wiener's study, we should expand our sample size to a much larger population of
adults that vary in ages; preferably a sample size of fifty plus adults. We could
split our sample size into two groups- those who have an ADHD diagnosis and
those who do not. Since we would be focused on the adult population in our
study instead of adolescents we would see if the results are the same for both
adolescents and adults. We can keep the independent variable as adults with
ADHD and the dependent variable as friendship quality. Each participant would be
given a survey asking questions about the friendships in their life and use a Likert
scale to describe the quality/satisfaction they feel from these friendships.
In my research, I was able to find a study that was consistent with the findings in
the two articles you have brought to my attention. According to Bodalski et al.,
2018, it was found in their study that ADHD has an effect on emotional
regulation. Therefore, their results showed a negative impact on the friendship
quality in those adults who have an ADHD diagnosis. I appreciate you providing
me with the information from these two articles about ADHD and friendships in
adolescents. b I would be interested in conducting a study with you about
obtaining more information on this topic and how to help those with ADHD.
I discovered an article called: Examination of a Parent-Assisted, Friendship-Building
Program for Adolescents With ADHD by Denise M. Gardner, Alyson C. Gerdes, and
Kelsey Weinberger published in February 2019. b I think your idea about studying
the relationship between ADHD and friendships could be accomplished by trying a
friendship building program like the one used in the study in this article, but
instead of children participants we would use adults.
I believe we could conduct a study with young adults ages 18-24 years old using
forty participants (20-male and 20-female) with each participant having one adult
family member who would be assisting them, but 1/2 of the participants would
not attend the sessions of the friendship program while the other 1/2 would
attend. b (Gardner, Gerdes, & Weinberger, 2019) The family member would assist
their participant in actively try to make a friend. The goal is to see if the
participants who attended the sessions for the friendship program made friends
more quickly than those who did not attend. Our independent variable would be
whether the participants were in the friendship program or not and the dependent
variable would be how long it took each participant to make a new friend. I look
forward to hearing your thoughts on my proposal. After reading your letter I had
an interesting idea for a study that I feel could further our understanding of ADHD
and friendships. In your letter you stated that quality of friendships diminished for
those with ADHD, and a lack of social support could be one of the factors that
plays a role in the low quality of friendships. There was a study done that wanted
to investigate the relationship between insecure attachment and ADHD (Storebo
et. al., 2013). They found that that there was a clear association between
insecure attachment and ADHD (2013). The study stated that in the population
60% of children have a secure attachment, while only 10% of those with ADHD
have a secure attachment (2013)
I would like to propose a predictive study that looks at the relationship between
quality of friendships, and insecure attachment in those with ADHD. b Quality of
friendships would be measured using the same scale, negative interaction with
friends, and attachment would be concluded through interviews. I feel as though
this study would help to better breakdown what about having ADHD effects
friendships, and can parenting techniques, and secure attachment mediate the
negative social outcomes of having ADHD?
References
Storebo, O., et. al. (2013). Assocaiont between insecure attachment and ADHD:
Environmental mediator factors. Journal of Attention Disorders, 20(2, 187-186.
Https:/doi-org.ezproxy.liberty.edu/10.1177/1087054713501079
References
Bodalski, E. A., Knouse, L. E., & Kovalev, D. (2019). Adult ADHD, Emotion
Dysregulation, and Functional Outcomes: Examining the Role of Emotion
Regulation Strategies. Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment,
41(1), 81-92. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10862-018-9695-1
