Establishing the Research Priorities of ADHD Professionals: An International Delphi Study

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychiatry
• Developmental Psychology

Background:

• Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder.
• Identifying research priorities is crucial for advancing ADHD understanding and treatment.
• International consensus on research needs is essential for global progress.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the most critical ADHD research priorities from an international professional perspective.
• To establish a foundation for a globally relevant ADHD research agenda.

Main Methods:

• A two-stage modified Delphi design was employed.
• Stage 1 involved qualitative data collection from 132 professionals to generate research questions.
• Stage 2 used quantitative methods with 180 professionals to rate the importance of generated questions.

Main Results:

• 382 research questions were generated, categorized into 10 broad areas.
• The top research priorities included ADHD in women and girls, long-term medication effects, non-pharmacological interventions, ADHD assessment tools, and emotional regulation strategies.
• Key areas of focus were co-occurring conditions and treatment efficacy.

Conclusions:

• The identified research priorities reflect the international expert consensus on critical ADHD research needs.
• This study provides a framework for future ADHD research agendas.
• Further research should incorporate the perspectives of individuals with ADHD (consumers).