ADHD and Financial Management Challenges

Plain-language summary

Research suggests that while ADHD can present challenges in areas like time management and organization, interventions including both medication and therapy can be helpful. However, there is still much to learn about how these interventions specifically impact financial literacy and money management, as the available research often focuses on broader work-related outcomes.

Key findings

• Pharmacological (medication) and psychosocial (therapy-based) interventions can improve work-related outcomes like time management and productivity for adults with ADHD.
• There is still limited specific research on interventions designed to support adults with ADHD in the workplace, and even less specifically on financial management.
• Digital health tools may offer additional support for young people with ADHD, particularly in accessing information and self-management resources, though their impact on financial literacy is not yet clear.

Studies cited (3)

1. A meta-analysis of pharmacological and psychosocial interventions aiming to improve work-relevant outcomes for adults with ADHD — Kirsty Lauder, A. McDowall, Harriet R. Tenenbaum (2024, Neurodiversity, meta-analysis)

   Evaluate and compare the efficacy of pharmacological and psychosocial interventions on work-relevant outcomes, such as time management and productivity, for adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. A meta-analysis that searched 12 databases. Included studies had a control group and an outcome measure related to workplace functioning or addressing time management/organization. Studies included intervention groups with 52% men and a mean age of 33.2 years. We evaluated studies using the random effects model and summarized standardized mean difference. We assessed sensitivity, public

2. A systematic review of interventions to support adults with ADHD at work—Implications from the paucity of context-specific research for theory and practice — Kirsty Lauder, A. McDowall, H. Tenenbaum (2022, Frontiers in Psychology, systematic-review)

   Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is estimated to affect 3.5% of the global workforce. Despite the high prevalence rate, little is known about how best to support adults with ADHD (ADHDers) at work. Relevant research is dispersed across different disciplines such as medicine, health studies and psychology. Therefore, it is important to synthesize interventions aimed at ADHDers to examine what learning can be gleaned for effective workplace support. We conducted a systematic review of relevant interventions framed by realist evaluation and the Context-Intervention-Mechanism-Outcom

3. Digital health interventions with healthcare information and self-management resources for young people with ADHD: a mixed-methods systematic review and narrative synthesis — Rebecca Gudka, Elleie McGlynn, Katherine Lister (2025, European Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, systematic-review)

   Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental condition. Young people face challenges accessing ADHD healthcare in the UK, especially when transitioning between child and adult services. Digital health interventions (DHIs), as an adjunct to usual care, could improve access to healthcare information and condition-management support for this underserved group. This systematic review aimed to identify and synthesise evidence on DHIs suitable for young people aged 16–25 with ADHD, focussing on UK healthcare settings. We searched MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, IEE Xplor