Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Thesis Format

Monograph

Degree

Master of Arts

Program

Education

Supervisor

Malkin, Albert

Abstract

Intimate partner violence (IPV) involves physical, psychological, and/or sexual abuse that may have severe impacts on well-being. Individuals with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are at higher risk of experiencing IPV. ADHD, a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by inattention and/or hyperactivity, is linked to poorer perspective-taking (PT). Poorer PT is associated with IPV and positive attitudes toward dating violence (ATDV). Rooted in Relational Frame Theory, this study explores PT as a mediator in the ADHD-IPV relationship. 449 students (N ADHD = 91) completed a self-report survey. Participants with ADHD had poorer PT, more positive ATDV, and reported more experiences of DV victimization, but were not more likely to be involved in cyber dating abuse. PT was a partial mediator between ADHD and DV victimization. Implications include a need for educators and parents to combat positive ATDV and improve PT in youth with ADHD to reduce the likelihood of DV.

Summary for Lay Audience

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a form of physical, psychological, or sexual abuse by or toward one’s partner that has serious consequences on one’s well-being. Dating violence (DV) is a form of IPV wherein an individual does not necessarily need to be in a close relationship with the person inflicting or receiving this harm. Individuals with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are at a higher risk of being both victims and perpetrators of IPV/DV. ADHD is a disorder linked to symptoms such as inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness. ADHD may impact one’s social life and relationships and, relatedly, the ability to take another person’s perspective. This perspective-taking (PT) ability is crucial for maintaining healthy social relationships, and being better at understanding another’s viewpoint is linked to a lower chance of supporting DV. Our study seeks to understand the intersection of DV, ADHD, PT, and ATDV. We also sought to identify whether the relationship between ADHD and DV extends to the online world in the form of cyber dating abuse, which may include behaviours such as sending threatening or unsolicited messages to a partner. The theoretical foundation of our study was Relational Frame Theory (RFT), which is a way of understanding how we learn to connect different ideas and words to help us make sense of complex concepts such as PT. We surveyed 449 North American post-secondary students, 91 of whom had self-reported ADHD. In our study, participants with ADHD had more supportive ATDV, had poorer PT abilities, and were more likely to be victims of DV. They were not more likely to be perpetrators of DV or victims of online DV. Their poorer PT was partially linked to their greater likelihood of being a victim of DV. Results of our study indicate that the community must work harder to help individuals with ADHD understand others better and model healthy attitudes and behaviours towards dating to lower their chances of being victims of DV. Future researchers should replicate our findings with stricter/alternative methods and continue to explore ATDV amongst the ADHD population.

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