Sense of coherence, loneliness and interpersonal concerns in adolescents with AD/HD : a comparison of adolescents' and mothers' perceptions

The perceptions of adolescents with AD/HD regarding their level of i) coping "strength", ii) peer related loneliness, iii) peer rejection, and iv) interpersonal concerns were compared with their mothers' perceptions. Twenty-two adolescents diagnosed with ADD, nineteen adolescents diagnosed with ADHD, and their mothers, were interviewed. Adolescents with ADD reported significantly less peer related loneliness and significantly more coping "strength" than their mothers believed them to have. Adolescents with ADHD reported significantly less concern about being rejected and humiliated, significantly less peer related loneliness, and significantly more coping "strength" than did their mothers. These findings demonstrate the importance of seeking both the adolescents and the mothers views of the adolescent's social-emotional development. Knowledge of the different perspectives can be useful in designing counselling and guidance interventions.