Adult ADHD
Visual Abstract
The relationship between trait emotional intelligence and ADHD symptoms in adolescents and young adults
ADHD Symptoms and Emotional Intelligence
Holly A. Kristensen, James D.A. Parker, Robyn N. Taylor, Kateryna V. Keefer, Patricia H. Kloosterman, Laura J. Summerfeldt
Summarized by:
April 22, 2023
study source
Personality and Individual Differences
July 2014
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What they studied
Researchers analyzed the link between ADHD and emotional intelligence to see if different areas of emotional intelligence were linked with ADHD symptoms.
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What they found
They found that those with stronger ADHD symptoms also struggled more with emotional intelligence, particularly in stress management and adaptability.
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What this means
ADHD can lead to difficulties in managing emotions and relationships. This study suggests that emotional intelligence could play a role.
The relationship between trait emotional intelligence and ADHD symptoms in adolescents and young adults
Symptoms of attention and hyperactivity define ADHD. But, it has also been associated with differences in other areas, including rates of depression, cognition, and even brain structure.
Researchers wanted to see whether ADHD is also linked to emotional intelligence,
Emotional intelligence encompasses our understanding and ability to manage ourselves and our relationships with others.
Some studies have linked ADHD with difficulties in personal and professional relationships. Challenges with emotional intelligence could be one potential explanation for this phenomenon.
Methods
This study analyzed emotional intelligence and ADHD symptoms in a large population of adults and teenagers. This allowed researchers to see how ADHD symptoms correlate with measures of emotional intelligence.
Study Quote
The present study examined the association between trait emotional intelligence (TEI) and ADHD symptomatology in samples of 1388 adolescents (ages 14–17 years) and 3313 young adults (ages 18–24 years).
Results
Researchers found a significant correlation between ADHD symptoms and emotional intelligence.
This link was significant across the four emotional intelligence subdomains we analyzed.
The strongest correlation was found in stress management, followed by adaptability. Those with ADHD struggle the most with managing stress and adapting to new situations.
Interpersonal intelligence was far less impacted by ADHD compared to other domains of emotional intelligence
In a population study, researchers found that ADHD symptoms correlate with emotional intelligence. Stress management and adaptability were the most strongly correlated subdomains.
The areas of emotional intelligence where those with ADHD struggled the most were connected with difficulties with attention, one area of ADHD that often persists into adulthood:
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It stands to reason that the difficulty managing strong emotional responses is closely connected with the inattentive symptomatology domain, affecting the ability to refocus and sustain attention. The TEI dimension of adaptability was found to be another unique predictor of inattention and, to a somewhat lesser extent, hyperactive–impulsive symptomatology for both samples.
Researchers statistically estimated the strength of this link for both adults and adolescents and found that ADHD symptoms more strongly impacted emotional intelligence scores in adults.
A population-based study found that those with more severe ADHD symptoms tend to have lower emotional intelligence test scores. This effect was stronger in adults than in adolescents.
Study Quote
Consistent with the notion that difficulties in emotion processing and affect regulation are important features of ADHD, TEI was found to be a moderate to strong predictor in both samples. The TEI dimensions of stress management and adaptability uniquely predicted both hyperactivity–impu...
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Conclusions
These results offer some potential explanations for the difficulties those with ADHD can have managing emotions and relationships.
By characterizing the areas where those with ADHD most often struggle, studies like this help create better interventions and coping strategies.
Study Quote
Implications are discussed in terms of the usefulness of the TEI framework for enhancing understanding of the socio-emotional difficulties associated with ADHD symptoms and for informing interventions and coping strategies.