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Perspectives on parental support of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder self-management at the transition to adulthood

Nature Mental Health volume 2, pages 489–495 (2024)Cite this article

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Abstract

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a chronic mental health condition that often persists into adulthood. Here we highlight challenges and potential opportunities for research and intervention for individuals with ADHD transitioning to adulthood and present intervention targets involving parents that are less well studied. Unique elements of intervention for transition-aged youth include targeting self-efficacy, motivation, environmental fit and independence. Parents may be at a loss for how to support transition-aged youth, however, equipping parents with motivational interviewing strategies, considering changes to an individual’s environment to enhance fit as well as balancing independence and support are all areas that may be incorporated into interventions for this age group. Importantly, cultural and socioeconomic context need to be considered.

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Fig. 1: Life transitions approach to ADHD.
Fig. 2: Future directions.

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  1. These authors contributed equally: Hong N. T. Bui, Nicholas P. Marsh.

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  1. University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA

    Hong N. T. Bui, Nicholas P. Marsh & Andrea Chronis-Tuscano

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Contributions

H.N.T.B. and N.P.M. were responsible for conceptualization and preparing the original draft. A.C.-T. contributed to conceptualization, writing and editing.

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Correspondence to Hong N. T. Bui.

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A.C.-T. has received research funding from National Institutes of Health and royalties from Oxford University Press.

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Bui, H.N.T., Marsh, N.P. & Chronis-Tuscano, A. Perspectives on parental support of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder self-management at the transition to adulthood. Nat. Mental Health 2, 489–495 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s44220-024-00234-0

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