Women Post-secondary Graduates With Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): What Challenges Do They Face, What Strengths and Virtues Do They Possess and What Strategies Do They Use to Overcome Challenges?

Abstract

This qualitative phenomenological study was done with 13 adult women with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder who had graduated from university or college. These women encountered many challenges throughout their lifetime. In response to those challenges, they developed strengths and virtues and used effective strategies to successfully graduate post-secondary education. This study used Alfred Adler’s concept of early childhood memories in the interviews to elicit conscious and unconscious attributes of the participants to learn more about them. In this study, women with ADHD overcame many challenges by using their virtues and strengths of perseverance/persistence and positive self-esteem. They employed two main strategies to overcome deficits associated with ADHD: seeking support and connection, and improving executive functioning and self-regulation. The study results can inform programs and interventions to help more women with ADHD succeed in graduating advanced education.