Adults diagnosed with ADHD who identify and actively use their own strengths experience better overall well‑being, an enhanced quality of life, and fewer psychological problems, a new international analysis shows.
In October, the month devoted to ADHD Awareness, which this year highlights “the many faces of ADHD,” scientists from the University of Bath, King’s College London, and Radboud University Medical Center ran the first large‑scale project to measure psychological strengths in ADHD.
The study, appearing in Psychological Medicine, compared 200 adults with ADHD to 200 adults without the condition on how often they felt they “excelled” in 25 positive traits such as creativity, humor, spontaneity, and hyperfocus—qualities researchers defined as their strengths.
Although ADHD is commonly linked to difficulties like impulsivity, forgetfulness and inattention, the new research underscores the value of spotting and deploying strengths.
Luca Hargitai, lead researcher from the University of Bath’s Department of Psychology, explained, “These findings point to which positive qualities may be tied to ADHD and can be considered ADHD-related strengths. It can be truly empowering to see that, even though ADHD brings challenges, it also carries several bright sides.”
Participants with ADHD highlighted 10 strengths more frequently than their neurotypical peers, including:
- Hyperfocus (deep concentration on tasks of interest)
- Humor
- Creativity
- Spontaneity
- Intuitiveness
Even with the longstanding employment, relationship, and mental health hurdles that many adults with ADHD face, the study found that they were just as likely as their non‑ADHD counterparts to recognize and apply their personal strengths in everyday life.
Across both groups, those who knew more about their own strengths and used them more often reported:
- A higher sense of subjective well‑being
- A better overall quality of life, spanning physical, psychological, social and environmental domains
- Reduced symptoms of anxiety, depression and stress
Dr. Punit Shah, senior author and Associate Professor of Psychology at the University of Bath, stated, “Knowing that we possess certain skills and positive qualities and then using these strengths where relevant can improve our well‑being. Our research confirms this hypothesis, and it opens the door to designing psychological supports based on these fresh insights.”
These results support the use of strengths‑based interventions in mental health services—a strategy increasingly embraced in autism care but still under‑explored for ADHD. Possible approaches include psychoeducational programs, coaching, and tailored therapies that help people identify and apply their strengths.
Dr. Shah added, “The next step is to examine whether interventions that promote the recognition and application of personal strengths can bring real improvements in mental well‑being for adults with ADHD. People with ADHD, and other neurodivergent conditions, have long called for this, and we are pleased to have some of the first research to back it up.”
Senior author Assistant Professor Martine Hoogman of Radboud University Medical Center noted, “Research on ADHD‑related strengths is still at its early stages. Most studies ask only people with ADHD about their strengths; we also asked neurotypical participants. We found that those without ADHD recognize many of the same strengths, but only those with ADHD endorse some of them, which helps us better understand ADHD strengths.”
She added, “It is important to educate people with ADHD not only about their challenges but also about their potential strengths to improve quality of life and reduce risks in work and education.”