Predictors and Moderators if Qualify of Life Among College Students with and without ADHD

Abstract

Although studies have investigated differences in the subjective evaluation of quality of life (QoL) between individuals with ADHD and their peers without ADHD, college students with ADHD are relatively understudied. The current study uses a large, longitudinal sample of college students with and without ADHD to (1) examine the extent to which college students with and without ADHD differ with respect to their subjective evaluations of QoL, (2) the role of medication in QoL of college students with ADHD, (3) the role of comorbidity, drug use, and psychosocial treatment in QoL of college students with and without ADHD, and (4) the total impact of these variables on QoL. Results indicate that ADHD, psychiatric psychopathology, and engaging with psychosocial treatment are predictors of lower QoL. QoL did not differ as a function of whether individuals with ADHD took medication, and the presence or absence of the three potential moderators did not significantly impact the relationship between ADHD and QoL. QoL is best predicted by a model that includes ADHD, psychopathology, and psychosocial treatment