ADHD in Children
Visual Abstract
Self-regulation of affect in attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and non-ADHD boys: differences in empathic responding
ADHD and Empathy in Boys
Ellen B Braaten , Lee A Rosén
Summarized by:
May 25, 2023
study source
J Consult Clin Psychol
Apr 2000
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What they studied
The study wanted to examine the link between ADHD and empathy.
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What they found
Researchers found that children with ADHD showed fewer empathetic reactions. Boys were also more likely to show negative emotions.
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What this means
This study provides evidence linking ADHD with less empathy, though more research is needed to confirm the link.
Self-regulation of affect in attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and non-ADHD boys: differences in empathic responding
Objectives
While ADHD is traditionally defined by difficulties with attention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, experts have increasingly found that ADHD can affect many more parts of our cognition and personality.
The study wanted to see if ADHD affected empathy, specifically among boys with ADHD.
Study Quote
This study examined differences in empathy and other emotions between boys with and without attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Methods
Researchers compared 29 boys with ADHD to 30 without ADHD.
They conducted an empathy test on the participants and surveyed the participants and their parents on the participants’ emotions.
What is a case control study
Study Quote
Empathy was measured by an empathy response task (ERT) and through self- and parent reports of emotion.
Results
The results showed that those with ADHD generally had less empathy than those without ADHD.
On empathy reaction tests, they had difficulty matching their emotions to that of the character in the story, a task designed to see how easily a participant empathized with a fictional character.
They were also less able to interpret and describe their reactions to a story in detail.
When researchers surveyed the parents of the children in the study, they found that parents were generally more likely to notice negative emotions among boys with ADHD, including sadness, anger, and guilt.
Study Quote
On the ERT, children responded verbally to 8 fictitious stories. Results from the ERT revealed that boys with ADHD were less empathic than boys without ADHD. Boys with ADHD less frequently matched the emotion they identified in the character with the one identified in themselves and gave...
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Conclusions
This study provides some evidence that children with ADHD may be less empathetic than children without ADHD.
It is important to note that the study was conducted with fictional stories and characters in a controlled setting. It provides evidence but not proof of the effect of ADHD on empathy.
Boys also tended to show more negative emotions, according to their parents.
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In summary, ADHD children appear to be less empathic than children without ADHD, as indicated by their scores on the ERT. In addition, children with ADHD appear to show more negative emotion, particularly depression, anger, and guilt, than do children without ADHD.
Study Quote
The results are discussed with respect to current theories of ADHD.