Award Date

5-15-2026

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Social Work (MSW)

Department

Social Work

First Committee Member

Nicholas Barr

Second Committee Member

Garrett Pace

Third Committee Member

Susie Skarl

Fourth Committee Member

Bradley Donohue

Number of Pages

41

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between ADHD medication adherence, therapy attendance, and depression outcomes in adults diagnosed with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Using a retrospective chart review of de-identified clinical data, depression severity was measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Multiple linear regression and independent samples t-tests were conducted to evaluate associations between treatment variables and depression outcomes. Results indicated that therapy attendance (p = .009) and age (p = .033) were significantly associated with changes in depression outcomes, while ADHD medication adherence, number of medication management appointments, and PTSD were not significant predictors. The independent samples t-test showed no significant difference in baseline depression scores between participants who attended therapy and those who did not.

These findings suggest that therapy attendance is more strongly associated with improvements in depressive symptoms compared to medication adherence alone among adults with ADHD.

Keywords

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD); Depression; Medication Adherence; Outpatient Mental Health Treatment; PTSD; Therapy Attendance

Disciplines

Rehabilitation and Therapy | Social and Behavioral Sciences | Social Work

File Format

PDF

File Size

400 KB

Degree Grantor

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Language

English

Rights

IN COPYRIGHT. For more information about this rights statement, please visit http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

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Available for download on Saturday, May 15, 2027


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