The Effectiveness of Mindfulness Therapy on Self-Esteem of Adolescents with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder has been considered as a chrome disorder, which generally continues beyond childhood, into adolescence and adulthood Willoughby, (2003). Researches revealed that the regulation of emotions have been found to be difficult among children, adolescents, and adults with ADHD, Barkley(2006). In line with this, Goodman, (2007) reported that the low self esteem and self doubt are commonly associated with ADHD. The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of mindfulness therapy on self esteem of ADHD adolescents. The adolescents with ADHD symptoms were diagnosed with Conner's 3 ADHD rating scale(2008) and thirty three participants were selected with age ranging between 13 to 16 years. The self esteem was assessed with Rosenberg self esteem questionnaire (1965). The mindfulness therapy was implemented for six months and five days a week. The outcome of the present study was analyzed by applying paired t- test on pair 1 (baseline and middle phase), pair 2 (middle and post) and pair 3 (baseline and post). It has been observed in the findings of the study that the ADHD adolescents learned to regulate&reflect the emotions in much better way. The mindfulness therapy found to be effective and produced significant effects by reducing ADHD symptoms as well as in enhancing self esteem of ADHD adolescents. It can be concluded with the evidences represented in the present study that mindfulness therapy can be considered as therapeutic tool in enhancing self esteem of ADHD adolescents.