Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Imposter Phenomenon, and Identity Distress: The Mediating Indirect Effects of Self-Esteem, Social Camouflaging, and Social Media Connections

The previous literature has explored the various relationships among Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), identity distress, imposter phenomenon (IP), self-esteem, masking, and social media, but to our knowledge no studies have looked at all the variables together within in a single model. This study aimed to test the fit of a structural equation model (SEM) exploring the direct relationships between ADHD symptom severity, IP, identity distress and the mediating indirect effects of self-esteem, social camouflaging, and social media connections. Specifically, we tested if self-esteem, masking, and social media connections mediate the pathways between ADHD and IP and ADHD and identity distress. College students (N = 500, women 61.6%, men 34%) completed an anonymous online survey battery. Those whose self-report symptom scores suggested that they might meet the DSM-5-TR criteria for ADHD had higher levels of IP, integration of social media use for communication, and identity distress and lower levels of self-esteem compared to students whose scores suggested that they probably would not meet the criteria for ADHD. A significant path was found from ADHD symptom severity to IP and to identity distress mediated through self-esteem, masking, and social media connections (emotional connection to social media and integration into life). This study is among the first to explore these relationships, in hopes of further informing clinicians’ planning prevention and intervention strategies for those who are struggling with ADHD and identity issues. Further results and their implications are discussed.