Subclinical ADHD, stress, and coping in romantic relationships of university students.
OBJECTIVE
To examine how the subclinical symptoms of adult ADHD and those of oppositional-defiant disorder (ODD) affect relationship satisfaction and stress and to determine whether different patterns of coping strategies emerge when undergraduates have symptoms of one or both disorders.


METHODS
Participants (N = 497) complete self-report surveys assessing ADHD and ODD symptoms, relationship satisfaction, stress, and coping strategies used in their intimate relationships.


RESULTS
ADHD and ODD symptoms are significantly related to a number of stressors and different patterns of coping strategies. University students with symptoms of both ADHD and ODD display a different pattern of stressors and different patterns of coping than those with symptoms of ADHD only.


CONCLUSIONS
Screenings for both ADHD and ODD and the provision of services that offer students more constructive coping alternatives to deal with stress in their intimate relationships are needed on university campuses.
Overbey
Gail A
GA
Department of Psychology-5700, Southeast Missouri State University, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701, USA. goverbey@semo.edu
Snell
William E
WE
Callis
Kenneth E
KE
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000523:psychology*; D003380:Courtship / Q000523:psychology*; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017533:Marital Status; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D057566:Self Report; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology*; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D014495:Universities