ADHD and Relationships

Plain-language summary

Research suggests a connection between ADHD symptoms, particularly attention difficulties, and challenges in relationships, including a higher likelihood of divorce. However, it's important to note that relationship issues are complex, and while ADHD can play a role, other factors like family conflict and parental representations also significantly impact family dynamics and child well-being.

Key findings

• Research suggests that attention deficits, a core symptom of ADHD, may be associated with an increased risk of divorce.
• Family conflict, regardless of ADHD status, is a significant predictor of disruptive behavioral disorders in children.
• Parental conflict and how parents think about their relationships can impact a child's emotional and behavioral problems after parental separation.

Studies cited (3)

1. Attention deficits and divorce — Bouchard G, Saint-Aubin J (2014, Canadian journal of psychiatry. Revue canadienne de psychiatrie, other)

   DOI: 10.1177/070674371405900904 PMCID: PMC4168810

2. Disentangling the relative contribution of parental antisociality and family discord to child disruptive disorders — Bornovalova MA, Blazei R, Malone SH (2013, Personality disorders, other)

   DOI: 10.1037/a0028607 PMCID: PMC3499649

3. Parental separation and children's behavioral/emotional problems: the impact of parental representations and family conflict — Stadelmann S, Perren S, Groeben M (2010, Family process, other)

   DOI: 10.1111/j.1545-5300.2010.01310.x