Author: University of Edinburgh
Source: Medical Xpress
Publish date: March 12, 2026
Study shows link between ADHD and mental ill health in teens
Scientists have shed light on some reasons why young people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder—known as ADHD—are prone to anxiety and depression. Young people with ADHD symptoms are more likely to experience emotional issues such as anxiety and low mood partly because ADHD puts them at risk of low self-esteem and having a parent with poor mental health. The study, led by the University of Edinburgh, is the first to study a wide range of factors which link ADHD symptoms and mental ill health symptoms over time. The research is published in the Journal of Attention Disorders.
It is estimated that ADHD affects around five percent of children and young people in the UK. One in four young people with ADHD have an anxiety disorder and 40% experience depressive episodes.
Researchers from the University of Edinburgh examined survey data from over 5,000 adolescents aged 11 to 17 from the UK Millennium Cohort Study, which follows young people born between 2000 and 2002 across the UK.
They tested fourteen possible factors linking ADHD and mental ill health, including relationships with family and friends, behavior issues and low self-esteem. Other factors assessed were behavior at school, general health and if their parent had mental health difficulties.
The team analysed questionnaires which surveyed parents and young people on ADHD symptoms and emotional problems such as low mood and anxiety symptoms at ages 11,14 and 17.
Findings showed that self-esteem and parental mental health had a small but statistically significant link to both ADHD and mental ill health risk. Among girls, difficulties with peers had a small but significant link.
This was the case even when other factors such as any pre-existing neurodevelopmental and mental health issues were taken into account.
The results suggest that several different factors may be working collectively with a small effect to connect ADHD and other emotional issues during adolescence.
The study could help in tailoring targeted well-being support systems for young people with ADHD, experts say.
Professor Aja Murray, of the University of Edinburgh’s School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences, who led the study, said, “The findings suggest that to help reduce the risk of adolescents with ADHD symptoms developing other mental ill health symptoms, two things are supporting parents to improve their mental health, and supporting adolescents to foster high self-esteem. For girls in particular, supporting social skills development is also important.”
Dr. Angela Hind, Chief Executive of the Medical Research Foundation, said, “ADHD can have a profound impact on a young person’s life, yet relatively little is known about the mental health challenges they might face as they grow up. This important research sheds new light on why teenagers with ADHD are at greater risk of anxiety and depression than those without, highlighting self-esteem and a parent’s mental health as two of the most crucial factors that shape their well-being.
“These findings demonstrate the importance of funding medical research into children and young people’s mental health, and bring us a step closer to developing more targeted support for teenagers with ADHD, ensuring they can thrive during some of their most formative years.”
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