“You are all on Motorbikes and I’m on a Bicycle”: exploring the retrospective school experiences of females with ADHD through a systemic lens

Abstract

The narrative surrounding Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) largely neglects the lived school experiences of females presenting with the condition. The present study sought to offer a voice to this underrepresented population. Drawing upon data from ten semi-structured interviews with embedded visual research methods (drawing, diamond ranking, and timelines), the study explored the retrospective school experiences of females with ADHD (aged 18-29) in Northern Ireland through a systemic lens. Data was primarily analysed using Reflexive Thematic Analysis, aided by a critical visual methodology framework. Participants reported that systemic misunderstanding, lack of awareness, and scepticism surrounding ADHD, most pertinently in relation to teachers, contributed to adverse school experiences and mental health decline in adolescence. Such difficulties were compounded by the effects of masking behaviours and the negative self-perception typically exhibited by participants during this developmental stage. Results indicate that greater systemic understanding and awareness of how to support the individual’s presenting needs may nurture a more positive self-perception in females with ADHD and may buffer against negative school experiences and mental health decline. It is urged that school support for this population should be needs-dependent, rather than diagnosis-dependent, underpinned by inclusion and humanisation of the individual whose presenting needs are likely to significantly impact upon their everyday school functioning .

Thesis is embargoed until 31 December 2025.

Date of Award	Dec 2024
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Queen's University Belfast
Supervisor	Aoibhe Kieran (Supervisor)