Psychosocial characteristics of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in Indian adults: a comparative analysis of self-esteem, parenting styles, and personality traits

Abstract

Background: Adult Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is often associated with complex psychosocial impairments that extend beyond core neurodevelopmental symptoms. This study investigated the differences in self-esteem, retrospective reports of childhood adversity, perceived parenting styles, and personality traits between adults with and without ADHD in an Indian clinical context. Methods: A retrospective observational design was employed, utilizing deidentified clinical data from 98 adults [ADHD group (n = 28); non-ADHD control (n = 70)] from a psychology outpatient clinic in Chennai. Psychometric evaluation included the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), the Parenting Scale, and the International Personality Disorder Examination (IPDE) Screening Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using independent samples t-tests, chi-square tests, and one-way ANOVA. Results: Adults with ADHD showed significantly lower self-esteem (p < 0.001) and reported a higher exposure to childhood physical abuse, sexual abuse, and bullying compared to the control group (p < 0.01). Perceptions of early parenting experiences significantly differed; the ADHD group reported lower rates of authoritative parenting and higher rates of neglectful parenting from both mothers and fathers. The ADHD cohort demonstrated a significantly higher prevalence of schizoid, impulsive, and borderline traits (surviving Bonferroni correction), with anxious and dependent traits significant at the unadjusted level. Within the ADHD group, borderline traits were significantly more common among females, while the schizoid trait was associated with lower self-esteem. Conclusion: The findings suggest that the diagnosis and management of adult ADHD should take into account environmental vulnerability and maladaptive personality development. These results highlight the need for trauma-informed, integrated clinical interventions that address core symptoms alongside self-concept and interpersonal functioning to optimize long-term psychosocial outcomes.