Marital Adjustment and Marital Conflict in Individuals Diagnosed with ADHD and Their Spouses

Attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can cause many problems in adulthood, particularly in close interpersonal relationships and marriage. The aim of this study was to investigate the differences in patterns of the marital relationship between healthy couples and couples with one member previously diagnosed with ADHD.

The sample of the study included the ADHD group consisting of 28 couples one of whom was diagnosed with ADHD; and the comparison group consisting of 28 healthy couples who were reached through snowball sampling. All couples had been married for at least one year and their ages range from 22 to 61. Wender Utah Rating Scale, Adults ADHD Self-Report Scale, Marital Conflict Questionnaire, Marital Adjustment Scale, Conflict Resolution Styles Scale in Romantic Relationship, and The Birtchnell Partner Evaluation Scale were used as data collection tools.

Analysis results showed that adults diagnosed with ADHD and their spouses had more unfavorable patterns in their marriages with regard to the level of conflict, marital adjustment, conflict resolution styles, and reciprocal evaluations when compared to the comparison group.

ADHD can lead to the termination of marriages when it is not recognized and not treated properly. In consideration of this fact, it is thought that this study will provide information about the recognition of ADHD in adults who apply with especially marital problems and directing them to appropriate treatment.