A study looked at psychological strengths in adults with and without ADHD. The researchers studied 400 UK adults recruited online. Half (200) had a self-reported formal ADHD diagnosis, and the other 200 did not. The two groups were closely matched on sex, age, education, and income. People who were autistic, or thought they might be, were not included.
Adults with ADHD said they had certain ADHD-linked strengths more strongly, especially hyperfocus, humor, and creativity. But the overall gap in these strengths was small (17.58 versus 16.33), and the evidence for it was weak (BF10 = 2.69). The two groups did not differ in how well they knew their strengths (p = 0.699) or how much they used them (p = 0.844).
In both groups, knowing your strengths well was linked to better wellbeing, quality of life, and fewer mental health symptoms. Using strengths more was also linked to higher wellbeing (p < 0.001), and within the ADHD group it was linked to better overall quality of life (p < 0.001).
The study cannot show cause and effect. Diagnoses and strengths were self-reported and not checked. Online recruiting may have drawn people with lower support needs.
Source: Hargitai L, Laan E, Schippers L, et al.. The role of psychological strengths in positive life outcomes in adults with ADHD. Psychological Medicine (2025). doi:10.1017/s0033291725101232