About this trial

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether the ADHD\&me (ADHD\&ik) intervention can improve self-esteem in youth aged 16-25 years with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The ADHD\&me program is a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)-based intervention designed to help people with ADHD to develop a more positive view of themselves in their transition to adulthood.

The main questions it aims to answer are:

* Does the ADHD\&me intervention improve self-esteem in youth with ADHD, and are these effects maintained over time? * Does the intervention also improve related outcomes, such as masking of ADHD-related behaviors and co-occurring mental health symptoms including anxiety, depression, and stress?

In this RCT, participants are assigned either to immediate treatment or to a waitlist control condition, with the latter receiving the intervention after an eight-week delay.

Participants will:

* Take part in seven individual therapy sessions according to the ADHD\&me intervention. * Complete questionnaires about self-esteem, masking of ADHD-related behaviors, ADHD symptoms, and co-ccurring mental health symptoms at several time points. * Complete short daily assessments (ecological momentary assessment) during one week at the start of the study and one week after the intervention or waitlist period to report momentary self-esteem, emotions, distress, and activities.

Eligibility criteria

This trial does not accept healthy volunteers

Qualifiers

16-25 years old.

Official ADHD diagnosis, that is confirmed by research team using the clinical interview MINI-S.

Referral by clinician. Clinicians from participating institutions identify potential participants. To ensure a uniform understanding of the study population and inclusion criteria, all clinicians receive specific training. The researcher(s) conduction the baseline assessment are also familiar with these training materials, so that the inclusion procedure is applied consistently.

Telephone screening. Two items from the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES; Rosenberg, 1965) are administered ("At times I think I am no good at all" and "All in all, I am inclined to think I am a failure"). A score of 3 (agree) or 4 (strongly agree) on either of these items is considered indicative of low self-esteem.

Disqualifiers

Concurrent psychopathology that requires immediate attention (e.g., severe depression, suicidal thoughts/risk of suicide (as determined by the referring therapist and/or research team). Other comorbidity is allowed.

Undergoing any concurrent psychological treatment during the study, including any form of therapy for ADHD (e.g., CBT for planning skills). Psychoeducation completed prior to the study entry is allowed, but not during the study.

Low self-esteem that directly stems from a traumatic experience, which would indicate the need for trauma-specific treatment. This will be determined by the referring therapist. If someone in addition suffers from low self-esteem due to the ADHD symptoms, an appropriate timing of each treatment will be dis- cussed by the referring therapist and potential client.

IQ < 80 assessed with two WAIS-IV subscales (Wechsler, 2008): Vocabulary and Block Design.

Trial design

Design model

Parallel

Treatments tested in this trial

ADHD&me
Behavioral
The ADHD\&me (ADHD\&ik) intervention is a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)-based program designed to improve self-esteem in emerging adults (aged 16-25 years) with ADHD and low self-esteem. The intervention consists of seven individual therapy sessions of approximately 45-60 minutes delivered by trained therapists. The program combines psychoeducation, cognitive and behavioral exercises to help participants understand the interaction between ADHD, stress, and self-beliefs. Core components include identifying negative self-beliefs and masking behaviours, strengthening positive self-representations through positive memories and personal strengths, and examining and modifying person-environment interactions. Sessions follow a structured workbook-based format and include exercises, goal setting, and between-session practice assignments to support the development of a more positive self-esteem.

Treatment groups

110 Participants

are divided into 2 treatment groups

Group A: InterventionExperimental treatment 1 intervention

Group B: Waitlist-control (delayed intervention)Other 1 intervention

Trial outcomes

Primary outcomes

1

Self-Esteem (Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale; RSES)

Self-esteem will be assessed using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), a 10-item self-report questionnaire measuring global self-worth and positive and negative beliefs about the self. Items are rated on a four-point Likert scale, with higher scores indicating higher levels of self-esteem.

Time frame