People with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are more likely to participate in politics.
- People with ADHD are more likely to participate in politics.
- These patients are, for example, more likely to vote or participate in engaged conversations on social networks.
- ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by attention difficulties, hyperactivity and impulsivity.
A new study published in Plos one reveals that people with ADHD are more likely to participate in politics.
ADHD, a neurodevelopmental disorder that persists into adulthood
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by attention difficulties, hyperactivity and impulsivity. For a long time, the disorder was thought to only affect children, but recent studies have shown that ADHD symptoms can persist into adulthood, making it a lifelong condition. The estimated prevalence of ADHD in the population ranges from 1% to 7.3%.
A study of 1,369 Israeli adults
The study was conducted among 1,369 Israeli adults. Participants completed assessments measuring adult ADHD symptoms using the Adult Self-Report Scale (ASRS) and also provided information about their political involvement. It should be noted that this study is based on observations.
Need for excitement and stimulation
The results showed that 14.6% of the participants had symptoms of adult ADHD. Among them, participants with ADHD symptoms reported higher levels of overall political participation, both in traditional forms and through digital means.
This suggests that individuals with ADHD are more likely to engage in politics-related activities, which may be related to their need for excitement and stimulation. Importantly, however, despite their higher engagement, participants with ADHD were also more likely to be passive consumers of political news and supportive of suppressing dissenting opinions.
