First Advisor

Keith Kaufman

Date of Award

Fall 11-21-2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Psychology and University Honors

Department

Psychology

Language

English

Subjects

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, ADHD, Medical Gender Bias

DOI

10.15760/honors.1821

Abstract

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder has become an increasingly popular area of study over the last decade. The rise in cases over the same period likely explains this trend, as does ADHD’s status as one of the most commonly encountered neurodevelopmental disorders. While much of this research has served as an invaluable asset to both practitioners and patients there are still blind spots which have yet to be addressed by the existing body of research. This progress in our understanding of ADHD has gone far in illuminating the biases which have set the precedent for treatment and diagnosis, however, widespread understanding of the manifestation of these biases is still lacking. The prior understanding of ADHD as a disorder of singular presentation has been usurped by new information that paints the disorder in a far more accurate, albeit increasingly complex, light. ADHD does not have a singular presentation, nor is there any one archetype for a patient being treated for the disorder. Despite this evolution in our understanding of what constitutes the profile of a person with ADHD, the public perception is not so easily swayed, and acceptance of this new standard has yet to become universal. While most mental health professionals are aware of the change in our understanding of ADHD there is still a pervasive pattern of later - and fewer - diagnoses in all demographics, save for white males, who have long held the majority of ADHD diagnoses in the United States. By way of both novel and familiar research designs, this thesis hopes to gain insight into one specific demographic’s experience of seeking a diagnosis of ADHD. By comparing the diagnostic process experienced by men with that of women we hope to reach an understanding regarding the prominence of later ADHD diagnoses while also enhancing our understanding of the factors that led to the presence of this obvious inequality in diagnosis.

Persistent Identifier

https://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/44754

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