Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 10, 2026

The Adventures of Fundi Intervention Based on the Cognitive and Emotional Processing in Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder Patients
Published on: June 12, 2020
Associations between identity perception, symptom severity, and quality of life in adolescents with ADHD
1Department of Occupational Therapy, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, 8410501, Israel. adister@bgu.ac.il.
Abstract:
Adolescence is a key stage for identity formation. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition that significantly affects adolescents' daily functioning and quality of life and plays an important role in shaping their identity. Illness identity refers to the extent to which a chronic diagnosis is integrated into an individual's self-concept. This study examined how ADHD symptom severity relates to diagnosis identity dimensions and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in adolescents with ADHD. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 154 adolescents aged 11 to 18 years (M = 15.40, SD = 1.83). Participants completed validated measures of ADHD symptom severity, diagnosis identity (engulfment, rejection, acceptance, enrichment), and HRQoL. Statistical analyses included correlations, regression, and mediation models to clarify the relationships among these variables. Acceptance was significantly higher than other identity dimensions, while engulfment and rejection were lower. Higher ADHD symptom severity, especially inattention, was linked to greater engulfment. Engulfment predicted lower quality of life more strongly than symptom severity itself, and positive social experiences supported healthier identity integration. Mediation analysis showed that only engulfment significantly explained the link between symptom severity and HRQoL. Findings highlight the role of diagnosis identity, particularly engulfment, in the well-being of adolescents with ADHD. Interventions that combine symptom management with identity-focused approaches and social support may more effectively enhance adolescents' outcomes.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To diagnose ADHD, symptoms must manifest before age 12 and be evident across multiple settings....
Self-Evaluation: Self-Enhancement and Self-Verification
Ethnic Identity within a Larger Culture
Influence of Parents and Peers on Identity
Parental Influence on Identity Development
Parents serve as primary guides and managers in an adolescent's life, offering support instrumental in decision-making and personal growth....
Modeling in Therapy
Participant Modeling
Participant modeling involves therapists demonstrating calm and effective behaviors in...
Self-Discrepancy Theory

