Interventions for Adolescents with ADHD to Improve Peer Social Functioning: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Interventions for Adolescents with ADHD to Improve Peer Social Functioning: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Morris S, Sheen J, Ling M, Foley D, Sciberras E.

J Atten Disord. 2020 Mar 5:1087054720906514.

doi: 10.1177/1087054720906514.

Commentary* by Dr. Margaret Weiss: One of the most important developmental tasks of adolescence is the establishment of a peer group.   Deficits in social skills are one of the hallmarks of children with neurodevelopment disorders.  However, our ability to intervene at the point of impairment for helping adolescents establish healthy peer relationships is limited.

ABSTRACT

Objective: Peer social functioning difficulties characteristic of ADHD persist into adolescence, but the efficacy of interventions for this age group remains unclear.

Method: A systematic search of non-pharmacological interventions for adolescents with ADHD (10-18 years) identified 11 trials addressing social functioning, of which eight were included in meta-analyses.

 Results: Random effects meta-analyses of four randomized trials found no differences in social functioning between treatment and control groups by parent- (g = -0.08 [-0.34, 0.19], k = 4, N = 354) or teacher-report (g = 0.17 [-0.06, 0.40], k = 3, N = 301). Meta-analyses of non-randomized studies indicated participants’ social functioning improved from baseline to post intervention by parent-report, but not teacher- or self-report. All trials had a high risk of bias.

 Conclusion: These results highlight the paucity of research in this age group. There is little evidence that current interventions improve peer social functioning. Clearer conceptualizations of developmentally relevant targets for remediation may yield more efficacious social interventions.

* Les résumés scientifiques (abstracts) sont sélectionnés pour leur pertinence clinique par Dre. Margaret Weiss, Directrice de la recherche clinique, pédopsychiatrie, Cambridge Health Alliance, Université Harvard. Ses commentaires reflètent sa propre opinion. Ils ne sont ni approuvés par la CADDRA, ni nécessairement représentatifs de celle-ci.