ASSOCIATIONS BETWEEN WELL-BEING AND ADHD/AUTISTIC TRAITS IN SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS

Shikhah Almayobed and *Andrew P. Smith

ABSTRACT

Background : There has been recent research on the associations between ADHD/autistic traits and well being. The present study continued this line of inquiry using the Well being Process approach with a sample of secondary school students. Methods : Two hu ndred students completed an online survey, which included the Short Form Well being Process Questionnaire, the Short Form Strengths and Difficulties Scale, and the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ10) and the ADHD Self Report Scale (ASRS). Results : Many associa tions were observed in univariate analyses; however, these often became non significant when the established well being predictors were covariied. In the multivariate analyses, there was little evidence of associations between the AQ10 and ASRS scores and the well being outcomes. In contrast, significant associations remained between the AQ10 and ASRS scores and the SDQ outcomes (peer problems, emotional problems and hyperactivity). Conclusion : The study found no significant relationships between ADHD/autis tic traits and well being when established predictors were controlled for, confirming previous findings. However, the ADHD/autistic trait scores were good predictors of the SDQ outcomes, confirming predictions based on previous research. A longitudinal met hodology should now be employed to determine the underlying mechanisms.

Keywords: : Well being; Strengths and Difficulties; ADHD; Autistic Traits; Secondary School Students.