Mapping the Landscape of ADHD Research in Girls and Women: A Scoping Review and Network Analysis

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has long been viewed as more prevalent in boys, yet growing attention is directed toward the distinct clinical needs of girls and women. This study aimed to map the development of research on ADHD in girls and women and identify major gaps by visualizing changes in research topics over time.

Following PRISMA-ScR guidelines, PubMed, Embase, APA PsycINFO, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar were searched through July 2025, identifying studies published between 1989 and 2024. Peer-reviewed studies explicitly identifying female participants, including quantitative, qualitative, mixed-methods, and review designs, were included. Of 1,838 records screened, 487 met inclusion criteria after removing duplications. Studies were categorized by type and mapped according to their geographic origin. Keywords were extracted using a TF-IDF approach, and co-occurrence network analysis with the Louvain algorithm was used to identify thematic clusters. Time-series analysis detected emerging topics.

From 1989 to 2024, publications volume increased approximately six-fold. Observational studies comprised most studies (71.9%), while qualitative studies and systematic reviews expanded in recent years. Most studies originated from North America (53.0%) and Europe (33.3%), with lower representation from Asia (9.4%). Louvain analysis (modularity = 0.131) identified six thematic clusters, including behavioral and social interactions, sex-related differences and comorbidities, life-cycle and family impact, developmental outcomes, pregnancy/birth and pharmacotherapy, and cognitive & executive functions. Emerging topics included pregnancy, medication, stimulants, borderline personality disorder, and autism spectrum disorder.

Research on ADHD in girls and women is increasingly addressing life-course factors, psychiatric comorbidities, pregnancy and medication, and cognitive/emotional functioning beyond childhood behavioral presentations. However, important methodological limitations and content gaps remain such as a need for well-powered, controlled trials and research into later adult life stages, Asian and other underrepresented populations, maternal experiences during pregnancy, and the distinction between sex and gender. Future research should address these gaps across the life course of girls and women with ADHD.