Self-Compassion and Occupational-Competence Predict Quality of Life (QOL) among Adults with ADHD

Enhancing QOL is an important outcome in adult ADHD intervention. There is a need to explore additional factors, beyond those directly attributed to the disorder that may contribute to QOL among adults with ADHD. The recovery paradigm in psychiatric rehabilitation sheds light on additional factors which contribute to QOL among individuals coping with active symptoms. Therefore, we examined the possible contribution of two recovery measures to QOL in adults with ADHD: 1. Self-Compassion-the ability to treat oneself in a generous manner while confronting failures. 2. Occupational Competence-the degree to which a person evaluates his occupational efficacy. We explored relationships between these Recovery measures and Disorder measures (ADHD symptoms, executive dysfunctions) with QOL. Fifty-One Adults with ADHD participated in the study. We used self-rating scales for ADHD symptoms (ASRS) (n=51), Executive Function (BRIEF-A) (n=43), ADHD Adult Quality of life (AAQoL) (n=51) and Self-Compassion (SCS)(n=32). Occupational Competence scores were derived from an occupational interview conducted with each participant. As expected, large significant correlations were found between disorder measures and AAQoL (r=-.561**with ASRS; r=-.656** with Brief-A). Importantly, large to moderate positive correlations were found between the recovery measures and AAQoL(r=.706** with SCS; r=.418** with occupational competence). Hierarchical regression analyses revealed a unique and significant contribution of the recovery measures to the explained variance of AAQoL beyond that accounted for by disorder measures. (R square for the entire model= 0.66; for the recovery block = 0.38 Conclusion: Self-compassion and occupational competence may be important targets for promoting QOL in adults with ADHD.

Note: p<.05*; p<.01**