Young People's Experience of Taking Medication for ADHD
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Young People's Experience of Taking Medicaton for the Symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
IRAS ID
127814
Contact name
Peter Martin
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University College London
Research summary
The current study had two aims, 1) to explore how children and young people make sense of the experience of taking stimulant medication for the symptoms of ADHD, and, 2) how they negotiate identity in relation to these. Thematic analysis highlighted a process by which children actively make meaning, from confusion to being able to use medical and everyday language to explain their experience. It also highlighted a significant change resulting from medication, which was mostly welcomed, as it opened up opportunities. However, a less evident pattern of children finding the suppressing aspect of medication difficult was identified. Importantly, one young person reported that medication suppression aspects of her authentic self. Discourse analysis was applied to see how these children and young people negotiated their identity in relation to ADHD and medication. This revealed subject positions, which could be helpful and problematic. The implications for a developing sense of self were discussed. It was recommended that clinicians should engage with the personal meanings of medication, including issues of stigma and identity.
REC name
London - Surrey Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
13/LO/1740
Date of REC Opinion
22 Nov 2013
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion