Psychosocial experiences of adults living with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a qualitative systematic...

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a widely recognised mental health condition that frequently persists into adulthood, significantly impacting emotional well-being, interpersonal relationships, education and employment. Adults with ADHD often report substantial psychosocial challenges, including stigma, emotional dysregulation and occupational impairment. However, current literature has primarily concentrated on clinical diagnosis, comorbidities and treatment outcomes with a disproportionate emphasis on quantitative symptom-based metrics. Consequently, there is a lack of synthesised evidence regarding the subjective psychosocial experiences of this population. This study aims to systematically synthesise qualitative evidence to develop a comprehensive understanding of how adults with ADHD navigate these psychosocial challenges. The findings will provide evidence-based information to inform the development of holistic clinical assessments and targeted psychosocial interventions that better address the lived realities of adults with ADHD.

A systematic search will be conducted across three electronic databases: PubMed, Scopus and the Cochrane Library. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms and keywords will be adapted according to the search syntax of each database. The Population-Exposure-Outcome framework will guide the definition of inclusion and exclusion criteria. Inclusion will be restricted to empirical, peer-reviewed qualitative studies published in English between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2025 that explore the psychosocial experiences of adults (defined as ≥16 years) with a confirmed diagnosis of ADHD. Two reviewers will independently conduct study selection, data extraction and quality appraisal, with disagreements resolved through discussion or consultation with a third reviewer. Methodological quality will be assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist for Qualitative Research. Data will be synthesised using Thomas and Harden's thematic synthesis approach.

Ethical approval is not required as this review uses publicly available data from previously published studies. The findings will be disseminated through publication in a peer-reviewed journal and presentations at academic conferences.

CRD420251159182.