Adult ADHD in Minority Populations: Policy and Practice Implications

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a neurobiological condition characterized by behavioral and cognitive symptoms (i.e., hyperactivity, inattention, disorganization, and impulsivity) can affect adults cross-culturally and across the lifespan. It is one of the most commonly occurring disorders in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-Text Revision in the general adult population of the United States (US) with a point prevalence of 4.4%. Currently, most literature and research about ADHD focuses primarily on Caucasian males; therefore, practice and research addressing more diverse cross-cultural issues is limited. Understanding culture's impact on ADHD and its treatment is extremely important, especially in light of recent reports highlighting the realities of mental health disparities and unequal treatment.

To improve knowledge about cultural explanatory models (EM) among diverse groups, this study addressed the following question. What are the explanatory models for ADHD among adults from diverse cultural and ethnic populations in post secondary settings? A qualitative descriptive design was selected which used purposive sampling, in-depth interviewing, and directed qualitative content analysis. The final study sample included 27 students who met the inclusion criteria. A common explanatory model of ADHD was not shared among the participants; however, gender and age differences were apparent. Their explanatory models of ADHD were complex and fragmentary and the relationship between explanations and help-seeking was neither linear nor one-dimensional. The implications of these findings for further research as well as academic and health policy will be presented.