Girls with ADHD: How ADHD Shapes Personality in Adolescence
Wednesday, October 16, 2024.
One thing that always stands out is how much childhood ADHD shapes a young person’s development—especially for girls.
We often hear about ADHD in boys, but new research is shining a light on how ADHD affects girls as they grow into teenagers, shaping not just their behavior, but their personality.
This isn’t just about fidgeting in class or being easily distracted—it’s about how ADHD influences the way these girls see themselves, relate to others, and navigate the tricky transition from childhood to adolescence.
A recent study published in Research on Child and Adolescent Psychopathology gives us a clearer picture of this.
Researchers found that girls diagnosed with ADHD in childhood tend to become less conscientious, less agreeable, and more emotionally unstable as they move into their teenage years.
This research not only highlights how ADHD impacts personality but also suggests that the environment—particularly family background—plays a key role in shaping how girls with ADHD see themselves.
The Personality Traits at Play: The Big Five
The study, led by Laura J. Bell and her team, looked at what’s called the Big Five personality traits, which are used to describe human personality in general. These include:
Openness – How open someone is to new experiences and ideas.
Conscientiousness – How responsible, organized, and dependable a person is.
Extraversion – How social and outgoing someone is.
Agreeableness – How cooperative, compassionate, and trusting a person is.
Neuroticism (or Emotional Stability) – How well someone handles stress and emotional ups and downs.
For the study, the researchers followed 228 girls—140 of whom had been diagnosed with ADHD in childhood—over several years, tracking how their personalities evolved as they aged into adolescence. The results were both fascinating and a bit concerning.
ADHD and Personality Changes: Less Conscientiousness, Lower Agreeableness, and More Emotional Instability
What the study found was that, compared to girls without ADHD, those with an ADHD diagnosis were more likely to score lower on conscientiousness and agreeableness as they grew older. In plain terms, they tended to become less organized, less cooperative, and less emotionally stable over time.
This is a big deal because adolescence is a critical period for personality development. If ADHD symptoms are impacting these key areas—responsibility, cooperation, and emotional control—it can set the stage for more challenges later in life. Think about it: being a teenager is hard enough without the added stress of feeling disorganized, out of sync with others, or emotionally overwhelmed.
The Role of Family Income: Why It Matters
One of the surprising findings from this study was how family income played into these outcomes. Girls from higher-income families, believe it or not, showed stronger links between their ADHD symptoms and negative personality traits.
You’d think more resources would buffer these girls from the negative effects of ADHD, but the study suggests otherwise.
The researchers speculated that in higher-income households, there may be more pressure to succeed—academically, socially, and personally. This can lead to increased stress and negative self-perception when a child with ADHD struggles to meet those high expectations.
In contrast, girls from lower-income households didn’t seem to have the same intense link between ADHD and negative personality traits, possibly because the expectations around achievement were different, or perhaps because they were receiving different types of support.
ADHD’s Impact on Self-Perception: Why It’s So Important
What I find particularly meaningful about this study is how it underscores the importance of self-perception in girls with ADHD.
The research suggests that as these girls grow older, their ADHD symptoms may lead them to see themselves in a more negative light.
Lower conscientiousness and agreeableness may make them feel like they’re always behind, struggling to keep up with school, friendships, or family expectations. Higher neuroticism means they’re more likely to feel overwhelmed by emotions, which can lead to feelings of frustration or even hopelessness.
But here’s the silver lining: personality is not set in stone, especially during adolescence.
There’s an incredible opportunity for parents, educators, and therapists to step in and help these girls build the skills they need to navigate their teenage years with confidence.
Whether it’s through structured routines, emotional regulation strategies, or simply helping them understand that ADHD doesn’t define their worth, there are many ways we can support these girls on their journey.
What Can We Do?
If you’re the parent of a girl with ADHD, there are a few things you can do to help mitigate the challenges that come with it:
Foster Strengths: ADHD often comes with creativity, curiosity, and resilience. Highlight those strengths!
Create Structure: Routines can help girls with ADHD feel more in control of their lives. Help them develop systems that work for them.
Emphasize Emotional Regulation: Teaching your daughter mindfulness or other emotional regulation techniques can help her manage the ups and downs.
Encourage Positive Self-Reflection: Help your child build a positive self-view by encouraging her to reflect on her successes, even the small ones.
Final Thoughts
Girls with ADHD are navigating a unique path.
This study shows that their journey can be challenging, but it also highlights the incredible opportunity we have to support them.
By recognizing how ADHD impacts personality development and self-perception, we can help these girls not only manage their symptoms but also thrive.
With the right support and understanding, girls with ADHD can grow into confident, capable young women who know their worth, regardless of how their brains work
Be Well, Stay Kind, and Godspeed.
REFERENCES:
Bell, L. J., et al. (2024). The influence of ADHD on personality development in girls: A longitudinal study. Research on Child and Adolescent Psychopathology.