Wortel, Shanice (2026) A Gender Perspective on the Clinical Referral of Adult ADHD. Research Master thesis, Research Master.
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Abstract
A wealth of research has studied the clinical and neuropsychological underpinnings of ADHD in adulthood, yet gender differences in clinical presentation, developmental trajectories, and concordance between subjective and objective cognitive functioning remain insufficiently understood. The present preregistered observational study examined gender-related patterns in a large clinically referred sample of adults undergoing ADHD assessment (N = 1,037; ADHD subsample n = 590). Specifically, the study investigated (1) gender differences in symptom presentation at the time of referral, (2) associations between childhood ADHD symptoms and adult symptoms of ADHD and depression, including moderation by gender, and (3) the correspondence between subjective and objective measures of cognitive functioning. Results indicated small gender differences overall. Women were slightly older at referral and reported higher depressive symptoms (both in the full sample only), whereas men reported higher childhood ADHD symptoms. Contrary to expectations, no consistent evidence for greater externalizing symptoms in men was observed. Childhood ADHD symptoms were positively associated with both adult ADHD and depressive symptoms. Gender moderated the association with adult ADHD symptoms, such that the relationship was stronger in men than in women. Gender did not moderate the association with depressive symptoms. Associations between subjective and objective cognitive functioning measures were uniformly weak across genders, and agreement between impulsivity indicators was negligible. These findings highlight heterogeneous and gender-influenced presentations of adult ADHD, as well as a dissociation between perceived and objectively measured functioning. The results underscore the importance of gender-sensitive and multimethod assessment approaches in clinical practice.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Research Master) |
|---|---|
| Supervisor name: | Fuermaier, A.B.M. |
| Degree programme: | Research Master |
| Differentiation route: | Mental health: perspectives from Neuro- and Clinical Psychology [Research Master] |
| Date Deposited: | 18 May 2026 09:24 |
| Last Modified: | 18 May 2026 09:24 |
| URI: | http://gmwpublic.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/6404 |
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