Examining the relationship between adult attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder severity and attachment style, intolerance of uncertainty and emotion regulation difficulties

The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between attachment style, intolerance of uncertainty, emotion regulation difficulties, and the severity of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms among adults. The sample consisted of individuals aged 18-45 years. The selection of participants was guided by rigorous exclusion and inclusion criteria to ensure the absence of comorbid neurological disorders. Specifically, participants were required to be within the age range of 45 years or below, without a clinical diagnosis of ADHD, non-users of medication for ADHD treatment, and not currently using any psychiatric medication. Data were collected through online surveys, yielding an initial sample of 343 participants. Following the application of exclusion criteria, 139 participants were excluded, resulting in a final sample size of 204 participants for subsequent analyses. The research employed a battery of assessment instruments, including the Demographic Information Form, Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS), Experiences in Close Relationships Scale (ECR), Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale (IUS), Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale-Short Form (DERS-16), and Difficulties in Positive Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS POSITIVE). Data analysis was conducted using SPSS-25 software. The associations between ADHD symptom severity, attachment style, intolerance of uncertainty, emotion regulation difficulties, and demographic variables were examined using independent samples t-tests and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Post-hoc tests, specifically the Tukey test, were employed to investigate significant differences identified in the analyses. Additionally, Pearson correlation analysis and multiple regression analysis were employed to explore the relationships among ADHD symptom severity, attachment style, intolerance of uncertainty, and emotion regulation difficulties. The results of the study revealed a positive relationship between ADHD symptom severity and anxious attachment, avoidant attachment, intolerance of uncertainty, and emotion regulation difficulties. Conversely, a negative relationship was observed between ADHD symptom severity and secure attachment style (p<.05). Individuals with anxious and avoidant attachment styles exhibited higher levels of ADHD symptom severity compared to those with secure attachment. Moreover, as levels of intolerance of uncertainty and emotion regulation difficulties increased, ADHD symptom severity also showed an upward trend.