Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, self-esteem and the impact of treatments

Laurie Sürig; Hala Kerbage; Elodie Courtabessis; Emanuel Diaz; Antoine Visier; Erica Fongaro; Diane Purper-Ouakil

doi:10.1016/j.encep.2023.11.009

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, self-esteem and the impact of treatments

Encephale. 2024 Feb 3:S0013-7006(23)00216-6. doi: 10.1016/j.encep.2023.11.009. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Laurie Sürig¹, Hala Kerbage², Elodie Courtabessis³, Emanuel Diaz⁴, Antoine Visier³, Erica Fongaro⁵, Diane Purper-Ouakil⁶

Affiliations

¹ Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Montpellier, Saint-Éloi Hospital, Montpellier, France; Inserm, Centre d'Investigation Clinique 1411, Montpellier, France. Electronic address: laurie.surig@chu-montpellier.fr.
² Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Montpellier, Saint-Éloi Hospital, Montpellier, France; CESP, Inserm U 1018, UVSQ, Psychiatry Development and Trajectories, Villejuif, France.
³ Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Montpellier, Saint-Éloi Hospital, Montpellier, France.
⁴ Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nîmes, Hôpital Caremeau, Nîmes, France.
⁵ Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Montpellier, Saint-Éloi Hospital, Montpellier, France; Inserm, Centre d'Investigation Clinique 1411, Montpellier, France.
⁶ Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Montpellier, Saint-Éloi Hospital, Montpellier, France; CESP, Inserm U 1018, UVSQ, Psychiatry Development and Trajectories, Villejuif, France; Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire de Montpellier, Unité de Recherche Clinique & Épidémiologie, DIM, Montpellier, Hérault, France; Inserm, Centre d'Investigation Clinique 1411, Montpellier, France.

PMID: 38311473
DOI: 10.1016/j.encep.2023.11.009

Abstract

Objectives: Children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) experience repetitive failures in their school and social life and often receive negative feedback from their environment, endangering the development of their self-esteem. Self-esteem is a forecasting factor for social, psychological, professional and familial well-being. Poor self-esteem is a risk factor for the development of depression, anxiety disorder, and personality disorder. The aim of this article is to evaluate the child's self-esteem at the initial time of ADHD diagnosis, describe self-esteem evolution after diagnosis and identify clinical and therapeutic factors associated with improved self-esteem.

Methods: In a longitudinal descriptive study, 6-12-year-old patients with ADHD underwent a multidisciplinary evaluation including a diagnostic interview (Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia Present/Lifetime version: K-SADS), a symptoms severity assessment with parent questionnaires (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Rating Scale: ADHD-RS), a neurocognitive testing of attention and IQ, and a self-esteem interview (Self-Esteem Inventory of Coopersmith: SEI). The follow-up assessment included a K-SADS-PL, ADHD-RS and SEI assessments and recorded treatment history. We compared the score of self-esteem between these two assessments.

Results: Among the 108 screened patients, we obtained complete data from 55 patients at the second assessment. At first evaluation, two-thirds of children with ADHD had low self-esteem scores. At the second evaluation, our results indicate a significant improvement of global, personal, and social self-esteem score (SEI) and symptoms severity score (K-SADS-PL and ADHD-RS).

Conclusions: Self-esteem improved in patients with ADHD after specific treatments.

Keywords: ADHD; Inventaire de l’estime de soi de Coopersmith; Methylphenidate; Méthylphénidate; Non-pharmacologic treatments; Self-esteem Inventory Coopersmith; TDAH; Traitements non pharmacologiques.