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An item-level systematic review of the presentation of ADHD in females
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Kapil Sayal,
Anita Thapar,
Kate Langley,
Joanna Martin
Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, Volume: 171, Start page: 106064
Swansea University Author:
Ann John
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© 2025 The Authors. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons CC-BY license.
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DOI (Published version): 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2025.106064
Abstract
Previous studies examining sex differences in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have primarily examined total or subscale scores. This systematic review aimed to examine which symptoms contribute to the female presentation of ADHD at an item-level. Six research literature databases wer...
| Published in: | Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews |
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| ISSN: | 0149-7634 1873-7528 |
| Published: |
Elsevier Ltd
2025
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| Online Access: |
Check full text
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| URI: | https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa68988 |
| Abstract: |
Previous studies examining sex differences in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have primarily examined total or subscale scores. This systematic review aimed to examine which symptoms contribute to the female presentation of ADHD at an item-level. Six research literature databases were searched for studies comparing ADHD symptoms and their impact at an item-level in females with ADHD compared with: 1) males with ADHD and 2) females without ADHD. Thirteen studies were included. In childhood, females were more likely to display the symptoms 'fails to sustain attention in tasks' and 'often easily distracted', whereas males were more likely to display the symptoms 'often fidgets', 'difficulty remaining seated when required', 'runs/climbs in situations when inappropriate', 'always on the go', 'often noisy in playing', 'difficulty waiting turn', 'often blurts out answers' and 'often interrupts others'. In adulthood, females were more likely to endorse the symptoms 'easily distracted', 'difficulty organising tasks', 'blurts out answers' and 'talks excessively', as well as to report mind wandering and adverse home impacts. Females with ADHD differ in their symptom profile to males with ADHD, highlighting the need for future research to identify and characterise symptoms typical of female ADHD. |
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| Keywords: |
ADHD; Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; Sex Differences; Symptoms; Item-level; Missed Diagnosis; Impact |
| College: |
Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences |
| Funders: |
This study was funded by the Welsh Government through Health and Care Research Wales via a National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Advanced Fellowship (Ref: NIHR-FS(A)-2022).
This report is independent research supported by the National Institute for Health Research NIHR Advanced Fellowship - Stage 2, Dr Abigail Russell, NIHR300591. KS and TF are NIHR Senior Investigators. The views expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the NHS, NIHR or the Department of Health and Social Care. |
| Start Page: |
106064 |