The Impact of Childhood Maltreatment on Emotional Dysregulation in Adults With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Comprehensive Study

ABSTRACT Introduction and Aim Recent studies emphasize the presence of emotional dysregulation in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), which can lead to significant impairment in both clinical presentation and functional outcomes. The objective of this study was to investigate the presence and severity of emotional dysregulation and childhood maltreatment in adult patients with ADHD and to examine the potential link between these factors. Methods The study included 80 adult ADHD patients and 80 healthy control participants. For the diagnosis or exclusion of ADHD, the Diagnostic Interview for ADHD (DIVA 2.0) in adults was applied to all participants, based on DSM‐5 criteria. The ADHD group was screened with the DSM‐IV Structured Clinical Interview (SCID‐I) to identify comorbid diagnoses. Then, the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS), the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), the Adult ADHD Self‐Report Scale (ASRS) and the Wender Utah Rating Scale (WURS‐25) were applied. Results In the ADHD group, the total and all subscale scores of DERS were found to be higher than those in the healthy control group ( p < 0.001). Total and subscale scores of CTQ were higher in the ADHD group ( p < 0.001). Significant relationships were found between the subscales and total scores of DERS and the subscales and total scores of CTQ. In the entire sample, CTQ score, ASRS score, BDI score and BAI score were found to be predictors of emotional dysregulation. Conclusion It was found that adult ADHD patients had more pronounced emotional dysregulation and childhood maltreatment. In addition, childhood maltreatment was found to be significantly associated with higher levels of emotional dysregulation.