Researchers find ADHD strengths linked to better mental health

The research was released during October's ADHD Awareness Month, which this year highlights "the many faces of ADHD." Scientists from the University of Bath, King's College London, and Radboud University Medical Center in the Netherlands collaborated on the first large-scale effort to measure psychological strengths associated with ADHD.

Large Study Compares Strengths in Adults With and Without ADHD

Published in Psychological Medicine, the study examined 200 adults diagnosed with ADHD and 200 adults without ADHD. Participants were asked how strongly they identified with 25 positive traits, including creativity, humor, spontaneity and hyperfocus. Researchers defined these traits as "things [they] do well or best."

ADHD is commonly discussed in terms of difficulties such as impulsivity, forgetfulness, and trouble sustaining attention. This study points to a different perspective by emphasizing the importance of recognizing and making use of strengths.

Luca Hargitai, lead researcher from the Department of Psychology at the University of Bath, said: "These exciting findings give us an indication of which positive qualities may be tied to ADHD and thus can be considered ADHD-related strengths. It can be really empowering to recognise that, while ADHD is associated with various difficulties, it does have several positive aspects."

Key Strengths More Commonly Endorsed by Adults With ADHD

Compared with participants without ADHD, those with ADHD were more likely to strongly identify with 10 specific strengths. These included:

• Hyperfocus (deep concentration on tasks of interest)
• Humor
• Creativity
• Spontaneity
• Intuitiveness

Despite the well-documented challenges adults with ADHD often face in work, relationships, and mental health, the study found they were just as likely as neurotypical participants to recognize and use their strengths in everyday life.

Using Strengths Tied to Better Mental Health Across Groups

Across both groups, individuals who had greater awareness of their strengths and applied them more frequently reported clear benefits. These included:

• Higher subjective well-being
• Better quality of life (across physical, psychological, social and environmental domains)
• Fewer symptoms of anxiety, depression and stress

Dr. Punit Shah, senior author and Associate Professor of Psychology at the University of Bath, said: "Our findings highlight that knowing that we have certain skills and positive qualities at our disposal and using these strengths where appropriate can be beneficial for our well-being. This might sound obvious, but now that our research confirms this hypothesis, we can start designing psychological supports with this fresh evidence."

Support for Strengths-Based Approaches in ADHD Care

The results add weight to strengths-based approaches in mental health care. While this framework is increasingly used in autism services, it has received far less attention in ADHD. Potential applications include psychoeducational programs, coaching, and customized therapies that help people identify and apply their strengths more effectively.

Dr. Shah added: "The next step now is to investigate whether interventions that promote the recognition and use of personal strengths can offer tangible improvements in mental wellbeing for adults with ADHD. People with ADHD and other neurodivergences have been calling for this for a long time and we are excited to have some of the first research to support this."

Why Comparing ADHD and Neurotypical Strengths Matters

Senior author Assistant Professor Martine Hoogman of Radboud University Medical Center in the Netherlands emphasized that research into ADHD-related strengths is still developing. She noted that many previous studies focused only on people with ADHD.

"Research on ADHD-related strengths is still in its early stages. Most studies ask only people with ADHD about their strengths, but we also asked neurotypical people. We found that people without ADHD recognise many of the same strengths, though only those with ADHD endorse some of them. This helps us better understand ADHD strengths.

"It's important to educate people with ADHD not just about challenges, but also about their potential strengths to improve quality of life and reduce risks in work or education."

Research Funding

The study was supported by funding from the UK Economic and Social Research Council and the Dutch Research Council.