title: Attachment, recalled parental rearing, and ADHD symptoms predict emotion processing and alexithymia in adults with ADHD.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of the aricle is to study the relationship between attachment, parental rearing behavior, and (infant and current) ADHD symptoms with emotion processing and alexithymia in adults with ADHD.
  
  
  METHODS
  Attachment, parental behavior, and ADHD variables were tested for predictive value regarding emotion processing and alexithymia in the total sample, the pooled ADHD groups (with inattentive type and combined type, each with n = 26) and a control group (n = 26). Comparisons were performed between the pooled ADHD groups and the control group, and between the ADHD subtype groups regarding all emotion processing and alexithymia, and attachment-related measures.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Emotion processing/alexithymia parameters were mainly predicted by early or current attachment-related features, and, to a lesser extent, by childhood or current ADHD symptoms, primarily in the ADHD groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings suggest partly specific and possibly causal relationships between attachment-related features and current emotion processing/alexithymia in adults with ADHD. The results confirm the necessity for further study of the multiple interactions between infant and parental ADHD symptoms, aversive parenting, and attachment with respect to emotional functioning in adult ADHD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, LWL University Hospital, Ruhr University Bochum, Alexandrinenstraße 1-3, 44791 Bochum, Germany.
authors.forename: Marc-Andreas
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Edel
authors.affiliation: Psychiatry Clinic, St. Marien Hospital Eickel, Marienstr. 2, 44651 Herne, Germany.
authors.forename: Susanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Edel
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, LWL University Hospital, Ruhr University Bochum, Alexandrinenstraße 1-3, 44791 Bochum, Germany.
authors.forename: Marie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Krüger
authors.affiliation: Psychiatry Clinic, LWL Hospital Dortmund, Marsbruchstr. 179, 44287 Dortmund, Germany.
authors.forename: Hans-Jörg
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Assion
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, LWL University Hospital, Ruhr University Bochum, Alexandrinenstraße 1-3, 44791 Bochum, Germany.
authors.forename: Georg
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Juckel
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, LWL University Hospital, Ruhr University Bochum, Alexandrinenstraße 1-3, 44791 Bochum, Germany.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Brüne
keywords: ADHD; Adults; Alexithymia; Attachment; Emotion processing; Recalled parental rearing behavior