Avoidance Coping in Adolescents with ADHD: The Role of Internalizing Symptoms

Isaac Wert

Co-Presenters: Isaac Wert, Jennifer Block-Lerner, Aaron Gubi

College: The College of Health Professions and Human Services

Major: School and Clinical Psychology (Psy.D)

Faculty Research Mentor: Aaron Gubi

Abstract:

The relatively greater difficulty experienced by individuals with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in regulating emotions is oftenconsidered with respect to externalizing behaviors, characterized by outward expression of negative emotions towards one’s environment. However, individuals with ADHD also experience greater internalizing tendencies, with higher rates of mood and anxiety disorders compared to neurotypical peers. Given that ADHD, depression, and anxiety are all associated with avoidance as a response to distress, elucidating the interaction ofthese symptom domains is critical to addressing avoidance in clinical interventions for ADHD.Through analyzing self-report clinical measures of adolescents evaluated through the Child Mind Institute’s Healthy Brain Network initiative, this study explores associations between ADHD, depression, and anxiety symptoms and avoidance coping. This work draws upon a cognitive-behavioral perspective on ADHD, contributing to the literature emphasizing mood and anxiety symptoms as not just associated features, but treatment targets relevant to clinical intervention for ADHD and related challenges.