The moderating role of the sense of coherence in the link between ADHD symptoms and antisocial behavior

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 . Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Semnan University, Semnan,

2 Master of General Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Semnan University, Semnan, Iran.

10.22075/jcp.2025.37650.3180

Abstract

Introduction:
ADHD is a common neurodevelopmental disorder in children, affecting psychological and social functioning. A key challenge for individuals with ADHD is a tendency toward antisocial behaviors. However, limited research has explored protective factors that can mitigate these behaviors. This study investigates whether a sense of coherence acts as a protective variable against antisocial tendencies in females with ADHD.
Methodology:
This correlational study involved 351 female high school students from five schools in District 8, Tehran, selected through multistage cluster sampling. Participants completed the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS-V 1.1), the Antisocial Behavior Questionnaire by Burt and Donnellan, and the Sense of Coherence Scale by Felensborg. Data analysis used Pearson's correlation and Hayes' PROCESS regression analysis with SPSS version 27.
Results:
Results indicated a significant positive correlation (r = 0.24, p < 0.01) between ADHD symptoms and antisocial behaviors. Moreover, sense of coherence moderated this relationship; higher coherence levels reduced the strength of the link between ADHD symptoms and antisocial tendencies, with an interaction effect size of 0.01. Although the moderation was moderate, it highlights the protective role of coherence.
Conclusion:
Findings suggest that individuals with ADHD who have a strong sense of coherence tend to exhibit fewer antisocial behaviors. Promoting coherence could serve as a valuable intervention target to mitigate antisocial conduct among vulnerable youths with ADHD.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

  1. منابع

    1. Faraone, S. V., Banaschewski, T., Coghill, D., Zheng, Y., Biederman, J., Bellgrove, M. A., ... & Wang, Y. The world federation of ADHD international consensus statement: 208 evidence-based conclusions about the disorder. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews. (2021); 128, 789-818.
    2. Wiederhold, B. K.Does digital media use increase symptoms of ADHD in adolescents. Cyberpsychology, behavior and social networking. (2019); 22(3), 171-172.
    3. Retz, W., Ginsberg, Y., Turner, D., Barra, S., Retz-Junginger, P., Larsson, H., & Asherson, P. Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), antisociality and delinquent behavior over the lifespan. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews. (2021); 120, 236-248.
    4. Young, S., & Cocallis, K. ADHD and offending. Journal of neural transmission. (2021); 128, 1009-1019.
    5. Baggio, S., Fructuoso, A., Guimaraes, M., Fois, E., Golay, D., Heller, P., ... & Wolff, H. Prevalence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in detention settings: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in psychiatry. (2018); 9, 331.
    6. Noori F. Impact of Attention Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder on Criminal Behavior and its Prevention Approach. MLJ( 2020); 13 (51) ;113-130 [Persian]
    7. San Martin Porter, M., Maravilla, J. C., Betts, K. S., & Alati, R. Low–moderate prenatal alcohol exposure and offspring attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): systematic review and meta-analysis. Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics. (2019);300, 269-277.
    8. Moghaddari, M., Lighvan, M. Z., & Danishvar, S. Diagnose ADHD disorder in children using convolutional neural network based on continuous mental task EEG. Computer Methods and Programs in Biomedicine. (2020); 197, 105738.
    9. Li, W., Zhang, W., Xiao, L., & Nie, J. The association of Internet addiction symptoms with impulsiveness, loneliness, novelty seeking and behavioral inhibition system among adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Psychiatry research. (2016); 243, 357-364.
    10. Giannotta, F., & Rydell, A. M. The prospective links between hyperactive/impulsive, inattentive, and oppositional-defiant behaviors in childhood and antisocial behavior in adolescence: The moderating influence of gender and the parent–child relationship quality. Child Psychiatry & Human Development. (2016);47, 857-870.
    11. Morse, M. ADHD Symptoms and Alcohol Expectancies: The Moderating Roles of Parenting and School Climate. Ph.D. Thesis, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA, (2020).
    12. Armeli, S., Carney, M. A., Tennen, H., Affleck, G., & O'Neil, T. P. Stress and alcohol use: A daily process examination of the stressor–vulnerability model. Journal of personality and social psychology. (2000);78(5), 979.
    13. Mohr-Jensen, C.; Steinhausen, H.-C. A meta-analysis and systematic review of the risks associated with childhood attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder on long-term outcome of arrests, convictions, and incarcerations. Clin. Psychol. Rev. (2016); 48, 32–42.
    14. Faraone, S. V., & Biederman, J. Can attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder onset occur in adulthood?. JAMA psychiatry. (2016); 73(7), 655-656.
    15. Taylor, M. J., Martin, J., Lu, Y., Brikell, I., Lundström, S., Larsson, H., & Lichtenstein, P. Association of genetic risk factors for psychiatric disorders and traits of these disorders in a Swedish population twin sample. JAMA psychiatry. (2019); 76(3), 280-289.
    16. Serati, M., Barkin, J. L., Orsenigo, G., Altamura, A. C., & Buoli, M. Research review: The role of obstetric and neonatal complications in childhood attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder–A systematic review. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry. (2017);58(12), 1290-1300.
    17. Antonovsky, A. The structure and properties of the sense of coherence scale. Social science & medicine. (1993); 36(6), 725-733.
    18. Ristkari, T., Sourander, A., Ronning, J., & Helenius, H. Self-reported psychopathology, adaptive functioning and sense of coherence, and psychiatric diagnosis among young men: A population-based study. Social psychiatry and psychiatric epidemiology. (2006); 41, 523-531.
    19. Kishi, K., Suzuki, J., Monma, T., Asanuma, T., & Takeda, F. Psychosocial and criminological factors related to recidivism among Japanese criminals at offender rehabilitation facilities. Cogent Social Sciences. (2018); 4(1), 1489458.
    20. Akbari T, Javidpour M, Shabanian A H. Path Analysis Model of Tendency to Addiction Based on a Sense of Coherence with the Mediation of Emotion Regulation Difficulties in Male Adolescents: A Descriptive Study. JRUMS. (2022); 20 (11), 1209-1222. [Persian]
    21. Arghabaei M, Soleimanian A A, Mohammadipour M. The Role of Family Emotional Atmosphere, Sense of Coherence, and Affects in the Prediction of Tendency Toward Substance Use Among University Students. IJPCP (2018); 24 (3): 310-323. [Persian]
    22. Nilsson, K. W., Leppert, J., Simonsson, B., & Starrin, B. Sense of coherence and psychological well-being: improvement with age. Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health. (2010); 64(4), 347-352.
    23. Mattila, M. L., Rautava, P., Honkinen, P. L., Ojanlatva, A., Jaakkola, S., Aromaa, M., ... & Sillanpää, M. Sense of coherence and health behaviour in adolescence. Acta paediatrica. (2011); 100(12), 1590-1595.
    24. García, B. H., Vázquez, A. L., Moses, J. O., Cromer, K. D., Morrow, A. S., & Villodas, M. T. Risk for substance use among adolescents at-risk for childhood victimization: The moderating role of ADHD. Child Abuse & Neglect. (2021);114, 104977.
    25. Ristkari T, Sourander A, Ronning JA, Elinheimo H, Helenius H, Salokangas RK. Sense of coherence and criminal offences among young males. Finding from the finish from a boy to a man study, Nordic Psychology. (2009); 61(1): 4-13.
    26. Koposov RA, Ruchkin V, Eisemann M. Sense of coherence a mediator between violence expousure and psychopathology in Russian juvenile delinquents, The journal of Nervous and Mental Disease. (2003);191(10).
    27. Klevens J, Restrepo O, Roca J, Martienz A. Comparison of offenders with early-and late- starting antisocial behavior in colombia, International journal of offender therapy and comparative criminology. (2000); 44(2): 194-203.
    28. Kiamarsi A., Ilbigi ghale nee R.. The relationship of a sense of coherence and alexithymia with life satisfaction in girl students with adhd symptoms. Journal of school psychology. (2012);1(1):76-92.
    29. Mokhtari H, Rabiei M, Salimi H. Psychometric properties of the persian version of adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder self-report scale. Iranian journal of psychiatry and clinical psychology. (2015);21(3 (82)):244-253.
    30. Burt A,Donnellan B. Development and validation of the subtypes of antisocial behavior questionnaire, Aggressive Behavior. (2009); 35, 376-398.
    31. Felensborg T, Ventegodt S, Merrick J. Sense of coherence and physical heaith. A review of previous findings,The scientific world journal. (2005);5: 665-673.
    32. Cherkasova, M. V., Roy, A., Molina, B. S., Scott, G., Weiss, G., Barkley, R. A., ... & Hechtman, L. Adult outcome as seen through controlled prospective follow-up studies of children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder followed into adulthood. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. (2022); 61(3), 378-391.
    33. Hou, X. Constructing the ADHD Child in Historical Children’s Literature. Humanities. (2022);12(1), 3.
    34. Kousha m., alaghbandrad j., Shahrivar z., Tehrani doust m., Mohammadi m.r., kiani s.a.. Relationship between attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and pattern of substance use in male adolescents. Advances in cognitive science. ( 2004);5(4):64-72.
    35. Davidson, O. B., Feldman, D. B., & Margalit, M. A focused intervention for 1st-year college students: Promoting hope, sense of coherence, and self-efficacy. The Journal of psychology. (2012); 146(3), 333-352.

Files

History

  • Receive Date: 05 May 2025
  • Revise Date: 21 November 2025
  • Accept Date: 28 June 2025

Share

How to cite

Statistics