The relationship between depressive symptoms and attachment in adolescents diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Objective: Depressive symptoms accompanying attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) significantly affect the clinic and functionality. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between depressive symptoms and attachment in adolescents diagnosed with ADHD. Materials and Methods: The study sample consisted of 105 adolescents aged 12 to 18, 25 (%23,8) girls and 80 (%76,2) boys diagnosed with ADHD. Sociodemographic Data Form, Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia Interview Schedule for School-Age Children-Present and Lifetime Version, Conners Parent Assessment Scale-Revised/Long Form, Turgay Screening and Evaluation Scale for Disruptive Conduct Disorders Based on DSM-IV, Relationship Scales Questionnaire-Adolescent Form and Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) were used. The individuals with a score of 19 or above on the CDI were grouped as Depression (+), and those below 19 were grouped as Depression (-). Results: The mean CDI score was 11,21±6,79, and 10.5% of the entire sample was classified in the Depression (+) group. Total ADHD symptom level was higher in the depression (+) group. In adolescents with ADHD, 30.61% had secure attachment, and 69.39% had insecure attachment styles. The most common attachment style was dismissing attachment (33.3%). An increase in dismissing attachment was associated with an increase in total ADHD symptoms, and an increase in preoccupied attachment was associated with an increase in TS-AD scores. Fearful attachment style (42.9%) is the highest rate in the Depression (+) group. The CDI score was positively correlated with fearful and preoccupied attachment and negatively correlated with secure attachment scores. The increase in total ADHD, fearful, and preoccupied attachment scores significantly predicted an increase in the CDI score. Conclusion: Attachment insecurity has a negative impact on ADHD clinical symptoms and co-occurring depressive symptoms. Interventions based on attachment are believed to be effective in addressing depressive symptoms in individuals with ADHD. Keywords: Attachment, Depressive Symptoms, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Adolescent