Social appraisal of adult ADHD: stigma and influences of the beholder's Big Five personality traits.
OBJECTIVE
This study investigates social stigma associated with a diagnosis of ADHD in adulthood and whether Big Five personality traits predict appraisals of affected individuals.


METHODS
A sample of 257 undergraduates rate the desirability of targets with ADHD, minor medical problems, and with no appreciable weakness, across several social engagement contexts.


RESULTS
Participants exhibit significantly less desire to engage with those with ADHD (as compared to both controls). Agreeableness, Extraversion, and Conscientiousness are found to predict appraisals of targets with and without ADHD, moderated by sex of the target and the beholder.


CONCLUSIONS
It is suggested that fairly subtle, negative bias toward ADHD contributes to rejection of individuals with the disorder, particularly in academic and work settings. Findings also suggest peers' personalities do have some effect on appraisals of targets with ADHD
Canu
Will H
WH
Department of Psychology, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC 28608, USA. canuwh@appstate.edu
Newman
Matthew L
ML
Morrow
Tara L
TL
Pope
Daniel L W
DL
D000328:Adult; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D010555:Personality Inventory; D012919:Social Behavior; D012928:Social Desirability; D013240:Stereotyping; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires