Emotion dysregulation in adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: a meta-analysis

Abstract

Background: Emotional symptoms are increasingly considered a core feature of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). We aimed to quantify the evidence of emotional dysregulation and its respective facets in individuals with adult ADHD compared to healthy controls using meta-analysis. Methods: Two electronic databases (PubMed, PsycINFO) were reviewed to identify studies. Studies were eligible for inclusion that had reports on any measure of emotion (dys) regulation in adults (> 18 years of age) in clinically diagnosed patients with ADHD as well as healthy control participants. We included a total of 13 studies (N = 2535) to assess (1) the standardized mean difference in emotion dysregulation (ED) as a general factor and its specific facets (i.e., emotional lability, negative emotional responses, and emotion recognition) between adults with ADHD and healthy controls; and (2) the association between ADHD symptom severity and ED. Results: Compared to healthy controls, adults with ADHD revealed significantly higher levels of general ED (Hedges' g = 1.17, p < 0.001; Hedges' g is the adjusted effect size). With regard to intermediate dimensions of ED, emotional lability exhibited the strongest weighted effect (Hedges' g = 1.20, CI [0.57, 1.83], p < 0.001). Furthermore, symptom severity and general ED correlated significantly (r = 0.54, p < 0.001). Regarding intermediate dimensions of ED, negative emotional responses correlated closely with ADHD symptom severity (r = 0.63, p < 0.001) and emotional lability (r = 0.52, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Our findings support ED symptoms as a core feature of ADHD's psychopathology. With respect to dimensions of ED, emotional lability, and negative emotional responses play a more definitive role in the psychopathology of adults with ADHD. Due to insufficient statistical reports in the included studies, we could not perform meta-regressions to control the role of moderator variables.

Emotional Dysregulation And Quality of Life In Young Adults With ADHD- A Cross Sectional Study

“…For the ADHD-speci c ED scale, the subscales of temper control, affective lability and emotional over-reactivity have all yielded large effect sizes for the between-group difference. These ndings are consistent with a recent meta-analysis which found large effect sizes for ED severity of ADHD vs. controls (60), speci cally in the domains of temper control, affective lability, emotional over reactivity, emotional impulsivity and de cient emotional self-regulation (31)(32)(33)(34)(35)45). In comparison, the more general, transdiagnostic measure of ED (DERS) yielded a more varied picture, wherein only the goals subscale showed a large effect size for group differences; the awareness subscale showed a small effect size and the remaining subscales of clarity, non-acceptance, impulse, and strategies showed medium effect sizes.…”

Did Affiliate Stigma Predict Affective and Behavioral Outcomes in Caregivers and Their Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder?

“…ADHD is often accompanied by affective and behavioral problems [ 19 ] that are not included in the ADHD criteria listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) [ 20 ]. Multiple studies have evidenced that people with ADHD have more comorbid internalizing (e.g., depressive, anxious, and somatic symptoms) and externalizing symptoms (e.g., oppositional defiance and conduct problems) than do people without ADHD [ 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 ]. Comorbid internalizing and externalizing symptoms not only worsen functional outcomes during childhood [ 27 ] but also predict ADHD persistence from childhood into adulthood and adverse outcomes in adulthood among children with ADHD [ 28 ].…”

One-year follow-up after the time management group intervention Let’s Get Organized

“…People with ADHD or ASD, for example, rate their time management skills significantly lower than people without cognitive impairment [11]. Emotion dysregulation is a core symptom in adults with ADHD [12,13] and has been considered as a contributor to inefficient time management among persons with neurodevelopmental disorders [14]. The severity of ADHD symptoms correlates with emotion dysregulation, leading to emotional lability that impairs daily life for many [13].…”

“…Emotion dysregulation is a core symptom in adults with ADHD [12,13] and has been considered as a contributor to inefficient time management among persons with neurodevelopmental disorders [14]. The severity of ADHD symptoms correlates with emotion dysregulation, leading to emotional lability that impairs daily life for many [13]. Improvement in ADHD symptoms has also been shown to improve emotion dysregulation [12] and thus improved executive functioning, i.e.…”