Enhancing unconditional self-acceptance in people with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder through autogenic training

Abstract

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that includes attention deficit, hyperactivity, and impulsivity as the core symptoms. Studies have reported that secondary symptoms of ADHD people include high trait anxiety, low self-esteem, and low self-acceptance. This two-part study investigated the efficacy of autogenic training (AT) for ADHD people. AT is considered to be effective for relieving anxiety, improving self-esteem, and self-acceptance. In Study 1, college students and ADHD people were compared to identify the psychological characteristics of ADHD people. In Study 2, ADHD people were randomly divided into an intervention and control group, and ADHD participants in the intervention group experienced an eight-week AT intervention. Results indicated that trait anxiety decreased significantly in the AT group. Moreover, there were improvements in self-esteem, and attention control, as well as a remarkable improvement in unconditional self-acceptance in the AT group (η_p²=.55) compared to the control. These results indicate that AT is effective for relieving anxiety, improving self-esteem and attention control, as well as promoting unconditional self-acceptance in ADHD people.