Hiding me to be like you: exploring ADHD masking

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder which causes inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Although some aspects of ADHD have had a volume of research completed on it, such as perceived deficits, a large amount of this research lacks input from the ADHD community. Other aspects lack the same attention, such as the lived experiences of ADHD people, and ADHD masking. ADHD is often stigmatised, which can result in people masking their behaviours to fit social expectations. This masking, in some cases, can result in misdiagnosis or even a missed diagnosis. ADHD masking has incredibly limited research surrounding it, making it essential to gain further understanding. This research aimed to develop a testing method of ADHD masking and using this method, examine the differences between masking in those with diagnosed ADHD and those with self-diagnosed ADHD. This was completed by gathering data from ADHD participants and analysing the information to establish ADHD masking behaviours. This was done through closed questions which were predicted masking behaviours, and open-ended questions to allow input from the ADHD community. Based on these responses a new questionnaire was created which can assist to identify ADHD masking. This questionnaire was then validated by releasing it to participants with diagnosed ADHD, self-diagnosed ADHD, and non-ADHD. It was hypothesised that the two ADHD groups would show higher masking scores on the questionnaire than the non-ADHD group. The results showed significantly higher masking scores for the two ADHD groups compared to the non-ADHD group, which indicates that the questionnaire accurately identifies ADHD masking.

Name dc:type.qualificationname

Masters by Research

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

Masters Thesis

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Abertay University

Year dc:date.issued

2025

Author dc:creator

• Miller, Samantha

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• Sharman, Rebecca
• Wakeford, Laura

Language dc:language

eng

Identifier

oai:rke.abertay.ac.uk:studenttheses/87138bbd-6d72-41e0-b900-f74281d1fd94

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:rke.abertay.ac.uk:studenttheses/87138bbd-6d72-41e0-b900-f74281d1fd94