The role of self-compassion in mental health among early adulthood with ADHD symptoms: a network psychometric approach
Abstract Background Previous research has primarily approached the interconnections between attentiondeficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms, self-compassion and mental health from a variable-centered perspective. However, few studies have explored how ADHD symptoms interacts with self-compas...
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BMC
2025-07-01
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| Series: | BMC Psychology |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-025-03120-1 |
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| author | Hui Heng Yingcan Zheng Fangfang Zheng Hong Su Lili Tang Yunxuan Zhao Ying He Guoyu Yang |
| author_facet | Hui Heng Yingcan Zheng Fangfang Zheng Hong Su Lili Tang Yunxuan Zhao Ying He Guoyu Yang |
| author_sort | Hui Heng |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Previous research has primarily approached the interconnections between attentiondeficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms, self-compassion and mental health from a variable-centered perspective. However, few studies have explored how ADHD symptoms interacts with self-compassion and mental health at the symptom level. This study aims to construct a symptom network that elucidates the complex relationships among ADHD symptoms, self-compassion and mental health. It seeks to explore the bridging symptoms within this network, thereby informing the development of effective intervention strategies. Methods The sample included 948 college students in early adulthood (ages 18–24 years). Participants completed questionnaires assessing ADHD symptoms (ASRS, WURS), personality (CBF-PI-B), self-compassion (SCS), life satisfaction (SWLS), and demographic information. We visualized the symptom network using the “qgraph” package and computed the expected influence of each node to identify bridge symptoms. Results The study discovered that among college students in early adulthood, 6.5% exhibited symptoms exceeding the ADHD threshold. Specifically, the prevalence rate for inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity symptoms were 12.8% and 7.1%, respectively. Furthermore, a strong positive correlation was found between neuroticism and the following symptoms: Isolation (r = 0.71), Self-judgment (r = 0.63), and Overidentification (r = 0.71). The assessment of Bridge Expected Influence finds six bridge symptoms within the symptom network - Neuroticism, Inattention, Overidentification, Self-judgment, Oppositional/Defiant Behavior, and Isolation - each significantly impacting the network. Conclusion This study employed network analysis to elucidate the relationship between self-compassion, mental health, and ADHD at the symptom level. The results indicate a consistent association between neuroticism and negative self-compassion within the colledge student of ADHD symptoms. Additionally, neuroticism and oppositional/defiant behaviors in childhood were found to potentially influence ADHD symptoms in adulthood, while self-compassion emerged as a promising intervention particularly effective for inattention symptoms, but further research is needed to test its effectiveness. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-9321e43114b64dd3a29c8db3fcb6656e |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2050-7283 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Psychology |
| spelling | doaj-art-9321e43114b64dd3a29c8db3fcb6656e2025-08-20T03:43:37ZengBMCBMC Psychology2050-72832025-07-0113111510.1186/s40359-025-03120-1The role of self-compassion in mental health among early adulthood with ADHD symptoms: a network psychometric approachHui Heng0Yingcan Zheng1Fangfang Zheng2Hong Su3Lili Tang4Yunxuan Zhao5Ying He6Guoyu Yang7Developmental Psychology for Armyman, Department of Medical Psychology, Army Medical UniversityDevelopmental Psychology for Armyman, Department of Medical Psychology, Army Medical UniversitySchool of Basic Medicine, Army Medical UniversitySchool of Smart Healthcare Industry, Chongqing City Management CollegeSchool of Preschool Education, Chongqing Youth Vocational & Technical CollegeDepartment of Marxist, Chongqing Vocational Institute of EngineeringDevelopmental Psychology for Armyman, Department of Medical Psychology, Army Medical UniversityDevelopmental Psychology for Armyman, Department of Medical Psychology, Army Medical UniversityAbstract Background Previous research has primarily approached the interconnections between attentiondeficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms, self-compassion and mental health from a variable-centered perspective. However, few studies have explored how ADHD symptoms interacts with self-compassion and mental health at the symptom level. This study aims to construct a symptom network that elucidates the complex relationships among ADHD symptoms, self-compassion and mental health. It seeks to explore the bridging symptoms within this network, thereby informing the development of effective intervention strategies. Methods The sample included 948 college students in early adulthood (ages 18–24 years). Participants completed questionnaires assessing ADHD symptoms (ASRS, WURS), personality (CBF-PI-B), self-compassion (SCS), life satisfaction (SWLS), and demographic information. We visualized the symptom network using the “qgraph” package and computed the expected influence of each node to identify bridge symptoms. Results The study discovered that among college students in early adulthood, 6.5% exhibited symptoms exceeding the ADHD threshold. Specifically, the prevalence rate for inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity symptoms were 12.8% and 7.1%, respectively. Furthermore, a strong positive correlation was found between neuroticism and the following symptoms: Isolation (r = 0.71), Self-judgment (r = 0.63), and Overidentification (r = 0.71). The assessment of Bridge Expected Influence finds six bridge symptoms within the symptom network - Neuroticism, Inattention, Overidentification, Self-judgment, Oppositional/Defiant Behavior, and Isolation - each significantly impacting the network. Conclusion This study employed network analysis to elucidate the relationship between self-compassion, mental health, and ADHD at the symptom level. The results indicate a consistent association between neuroticism and negative self-compassion within the colledge student of ADHD symptoms. Additionally, neuroticism and oppositional/defiant behaviors in childhood were found to potentially influence ADHD symptoms in adulthood, while self-compassion emerged as a promising intervention particularly effective for inattention symptoms, but further research is needed to test its effectiveness.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-025-03120-1Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorderEarly adulthoodSelf-compassionPersonalityNetwork analysis |
| spellingShingle | Hui Heng Yingcan Zheng Fangfang Zheng Hong Su Lili Tang Yunxuan Zhao Ying He Guoyu Yang The role of self-compassion in mental health among early adulthood with ADHD symptoms: a network psychometric approach BMC Psychology Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder Early adulthood Self-compassion Personality Network analysis |
| title | The role of self-compassion in mental health among early adulthood with ADHD symptoms: a network psychometric approach |
| title_full | The role of self-compassion in mental health among early adulthood with ADHD symptoms: a network psychometric approach |
| title_fullStr | The role of self-compassion in mental health among early adulthood with ADHD symptoms: a network psychometric approach |
| title_full_unstemmed | The role of self-compassion in mental health among early adulthood with ADHD symptoms: a network psychometric approach |
| title_short | The role of self-compassion in mental health among early adulthood with ADHD symptoms: a network psychometric approach |
| title_sort | role of self compassion in mental health among early adulthood with adhd symptoms a network psychometric approach |
| topic | Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder Early adulthood Self-compassion Personality Network analysis |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-025-03120-1 |
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