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ADHD in adulthood has been associ- ated with particular personality traits, including lower conscientiousness and higher neuroticism than in adults with- out ADHD. However, there is certainly variability in the personalities of adults with ADHD, and these variations may have important clinical implications, as particular personality styles have been shown to have better outcomes in psychotherapy. A recent study used hierarchical cluster analysis to identify reliable groups of adults with ADHD who share personality characteristics. The Millón Index of Personality Styles, consisting of 24 individual trait/behav- ior scales, was completed by 311 adults with ADHD. To find reliable clusters, the authors performed analyses on each half of the sample independently and then retained those clusters that were consistent across halves. Two of three clusters were found to be reliable and encompassed 91% of participants. Adults in Cluster 1 (39% of sample) were characterized by: a negative outlook on life; feeling they had little control in life; focusing on the self; trying to solve problems by managing feelings; and being interpersonally introverted and unassertive. In contrast, adults in Cluster 2 (52% of sample) were characterized by: feeling they could actively shape events in their lives; balancing attention to self with attention to others; trying to solve problems by applying reason to external circumstances; and being interpersonally extroverted, assertive, and agreeable. Both clusters exhibited traits associated with disorganization and poor follow-through. Findings for Cluster 1 participants are consistent with studies that have documented increased rates of personality disorders, which are manifestations of extreme maladaptive personality traits, in adults with ADHD. The authors suggest that patients in these two clusters may require different clinical management, with adults in Cluster 1 possibly needing cognitive-behavioral therapy targeting negative beliefs or other psychotherapeutic approaches in addition to medication management and skills training to manage ADHD symptoms. Robin, A.L. et al. (2008). A cluster analysis of personality style in adults with ADHD. Journal of Attention Disorders, 12, 254-263.





