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. 2013 Jul 11:9:96-102.
doi: 10.2174/1745017901309010096. Print 2013.

Self-esteem evaluation in children and adolescents suffering from ADHD

Luigi Mazzone  1 , Valentina Postorino, Laura Reale, Manuela Guarnera, Valeria Mannino, Marco Armando, Laura Fatta, Lavinia De Peppo, Stefano Vicari
Affiliations

Self-esteem evaluation in children and adolescents suffering from ADHD

Luigi Mazzone et al. Clin Pract Epidemiol Ment Health. .

Abstract

Background: Several recent studies investigated the relationship between self-esteem and ADHD, however, the results are still controversial. In the present study we analyze the characteristics of self-esteem in a sample of children and adolescents suffering from ADHD, with a particular focus on the relationship between ADHD symptoms severity and treatment strategies.

Methods: A total of 85 patients with ADHD (44 drug-free and 41 drug-treated, 23 of which atomoxetine-treated and 18 Methylphenidate-treated) and 26 healthy controls were enrolled in the study in order to evaluate self-esteem using the Self-esteem Multidimensional Test (TMA).

Results: ADHD subjects revealed lower scores on all self-esteem domains compared to controls. Both ADHD drug-free (47.1%) and ADHD drug-treated (44.1%) groups showed significantly higher rates of subjects in the pathological range as compared to normal control group (8.8%) (p <.001) with a higher percentage of subjects in the pathological range. Among ADHD drug-treated subjects, the methylphenidate group showed higher self-esteem scores as compared to the atomoxetine group.

Conclusion: A lower self-esteem profile is more common in subjects suffering from ADHD than in healthy controls, suggesting the importance of an early detection of psychological well-being in these children in order to reduce the ADHD symptoms long-term impacts.

Keywords: ADHD; Adolescents; Atomoxetine; Children; Methylphenidate; Self-esteem..

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Figures

Fig. (1)
Fig. (1)
Trajectories of Self-Esteem Subscales in ADHD and Control Groups.
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