Risk and protective factors associated with health-related quality of life in children and adolescents with ADHD in Germany – Findings from the consortium project INTEGRATE-ADHD

Abstract

Background: The health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of individuals living with Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is known to be impaired. Identifying factors that influence HRQoL can provide important information for the development of prevention and intervention programmes for affected children and adolescents. The aim of the present study was to investigate health care-related and psychosocial risk and protective factors for HRQoL in children and adolescents with an administrative ADHD diagnosis. Methods: In the consortium project INTEGRATE-ADHD, n = 4,809 parents of children and adolescents aged 7 to 17 years participated in an online survey between October 2021 and August 2022 and answered questions regarding HRQoL (KIDSCREEN-27), health care utilisation, and psychosocial risk and protective factors. Multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to assess the association between these factors and the five HRQoL dimensions of the KIDSCREEN-27. Results: Findings indicate that parental psychopathology and parental burden were risk factors for lower HRQoL in children and adolescents with ADHD. Further, a positive association was found between the five HRQoL dimensions and the psychosocial factors family climate and social support, indicating that these are protective factors. Conclusions: The results highlight the importance of prevention and intervention programmes for individuals with ADHD that consider parental mental health and aim to strengthen resources such as the availability of good family climate and social support.