Correlations between Quality of Life, School Bullying, and Suicide in Adolescents with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Yi-Lung Chen; Hsing-Ying Ho; Ray C Hsiao; Wei-Hsin Lu; Cheng-Fang Yen

doi:10.3390/ijerph17093262

Correlations between Quality of Life, School Bullying, and Suicide in Adolescents with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020 May 7;17(9):3262. doi: 10.3390/ijerph17093262.

Authors

Yi-Lung Chen^{1

2}, Hsing-Ying Ho¹, Ray C Hsiao³, Wei-Hsin Lu^{4

5}, Cheng-Fang Yen^{6

7}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Healthcare Administration, Asia University, Taichung 41354, Taiwan.
² Department of Psychology, Asia University, Taichung 41354, Taiwan.
³ Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Children's Hospital, Seattle, WA 98105, USA.
⁴ Department of Psychiatry, Ditmanson Medical Foundation Chia-Yi Christian Hospital, Chia-Yi City 60002, Taiwan.
⁵ Department of Senior Citizen Service Management, Chia Nan University of Pharmacy and Science, Tainan 71710, Taiwan.
⁶ Department of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan.
⁷ Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine and Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan.

Abstract

Although adolescents with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have a higher risk of suicidality and more problems related to school bullying, and quality of life (QoL) is reportedly associated with school bullying, suicide, and ADHD, no study has examined their correlation. This study examined the complex relationships between QoL, school bullying, suicide, and ADHD symptoms. A total of 203 adolescents with ADHD aged between 12 and 18 years were recruited. School bullying and QoL were examined using the Chinese version of the School Bullying Experience Questionnaire and the Taiwanese Quality of Life Questionnaire for Adolescents. Network model analysis was conducted to graphically present their relationships. We identified triangular correlations between school bullying, QoL, and suicidality, indicating possible pathways from school bullying to suicidality, and the originating or mediating roles of personal competence and psychological well-being. Furthermore, the ADHD symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity may differentially regulate these pathways. Longitudinal studies are warranted to confirm these findings.

Keywords: ADHD; quality of life; school bullying; suicide.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity* / psychology
Bullying*
Child
Female
Humans
Male
Quality of Life
Schools
Suicide* / psychology
Surveys and Questionnaires