Women with ADHD-diagnosed partners report lower quality of life and higher depression

A new study published in the Journal of Attention Disorders reveals that women in relationships with men diagnosed with ADHD experience higher levels of depression and a lower quality of life. However, engaging in health-promoting activities, such as exercise and self-care, may help mitigate these negative effects.

ADHD in adulthood can create significant challenges in romantic relationships, including poor communication, financial stress, and reduced intimacy. Women often bear the burden more heavily, with some describing their experiences as similar to caring for an “additional child.”

While many studies focus on individuals with ADHD, less research has explored how the condition affects their partners. To address this gap, Dana Zeides Taubin and her research team at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem examined the mental health consequences for women in these relationships and explored potential coping strategies.

The study involved 100 heterosexual couples, recruited primarily through social media, in which the male partner had a self-reported ADHD diagnosis. The men were between the ages of 20 and 60 and had been in a cohabiting relationship for at least two years.

The women, who averaged 33 years old, did not have ADHD themselves. They completed surveys assessing their depressive symptoms, quality of life, and participation in health-promoting activities. Additionally, they rated their partners’ ADHD-related impairments, including difficulties with time management, impulsivity, and emotional regulation.

The researchers then used structural equation modeling (SEM) to analyze the relationships between ADHD-related impairment, depressive symptoms, and quality of life.

Several important patterns emerged. Women with partners who exhibited greater ADHD-related impairments were more likely to experience depression. They also reported a lower quality of life, particularly in social and psychological well-being.

However, women who frequently engaged in health-promoting activities—such as exercising, setting aside personal time, or socializing with close friends—reported fewer depressive symptoms and better overall well-being. Furthermore, those whose partners consistently took ADHD medication reported a higher quality of life than those whose partners were inconsistent with treatment.

Taubin and colleagues noted that women living with ADHD-diagnosed partners may experience more severe mental health challenges compared to caregivers of individuals with other chronic conditions: “notably, the depression rates in our study exceeded those reported for the broader Israeli female population. Additionally, [the women’s quality of life] scores were lower than those from comparable studies on partners of individuals with other health challenges such as schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, anxiety disorders, and stroke.”

Overall, the findings underscore that both medical treatment for ADHD and self-care strategies for partners may improve relationship satisfaction and mental well-being.

While this study provides valuable insights, it has some limitations. Notably, it focused solely on heterosexual couples, meaning its findings may not be generalizable to same-sex relationships or relationships where both partners have ADHD. Future research should explore a more diverse range of relationships and track couples over time to examine how these dynamics evolve.

The study, “Depressive Symptoms and Quality of Life Among Women Living With a Partner Diagnosed With ADHD,” was authored by Dana Zeides Taubin, Haya Fogel-Grinvald, and Adina Maeir.