The Relationship Between Alexithymia, Cognitive Failures, and General Health in Secondary High School Student With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Attention–Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is the most prevalent mental health disorder diagnosed in psychiatric outpatient clinics among school–age children. Researchers and clinicians indicated that mood disorders are among the main complications in children with ADHD that can affect their health. Another influencing factor on the general health of children and adolescents with ADHD is cognitive impairment. Public health is another issue encountered by students with ADHD. General health is associated with the dimensions of physical symptoms, anxiety, depression, and social functions; accordingly, a disorder in any of these dimensions can affect mental health, i.e., among the main characteristics of a healthy growth process. ADHD is associated with the risk of other conditions, like aggression in adolescence or obsessive–compulsive disorder. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate the relationship between alexithymia, cognitive failure, and general health in high school students with ADHD.

The present study was a descriptive correlational research. The statistical population of the study included all high school students in public schools in Urmia City, Iran, in the academic year of 2019–2020. In total, 40 students out of 9294 (boys) and 11008 (girls) in the second year of high school, from 4 high schools located in one urban area (2 boys' schools & 2 girls' schools) were selected by multistage multi–cluster random sampling method. The study participants were selected based on the scores obtained from the Revised Conners' Parent Rating Scale (CPRS; Conners et al., 1998), students’ records, and a researcher–performed diagnostic interview (to confirm the diagnosis of ADHD). The inclusion criteria of the study included having ADHD, neurological and psychiatric disorders (based on scores achieved from the CPRS, students’ records, and a researcher–conducted diagnostic interview, and the age range of 15 to 17 years. The exclusion criteria were providing incomplete questionnaires by the study subjects’ parents and non–cooperation in the interview process. Data collection tools were the CPRS, the Twenty–Item Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS; Bagby et al., 1994), the Cognitive Failures Questionnaire (CFQ; Broadbent et al., 1982), and the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ; Goldberg & Hillier, 1979). Data analysis was performed by Pearson correlation coefficient and linear regression methods at a significance level of 0.05.

There was a significant and reverse correlation between general health and alexithymia (r=–0.29 & p<0.001), and cognitive failures (r=–0.26 & p<0.001). Furthermore, the regression analysis data suggested that alexithymia (Beta=–0.29, p<0.001) and cognitive failures (Beta=–0.26, p<0.001) can predict general health in the explored secondary high school student with ADHD.

According to the research results, general health can be predicted with alexithymia and cognitive failures. Using psychological interventions could help improve the general health of children and adolescents with ADHD.