Table 1.

Summary of empirical studies about friendship in ADHD

Study	Participants	Results
Bagwell et al. (2001)	n = 111 youth who had ADHD in childhood;  n = 100 comparison youth with no history  of ADHD. Ages 13–18. 96% male	No youth self-report differences in number of friends; parents  reported fewer friends for youth with ADHD. Youth with  ADHD and parents reported fewer friends who engaged in  conventional activities
Blachman and Hinshaw (2002)	n = 140 with ADHD; n = 88 comparison.  Ages 6–12. 100% female	Youth with ADHD had fewer friendships and lower friendship  stability across 6 weeks (sociometrically assessed), and  poorer friendship quality (self-reported)
Erhardt and Hinshaw (1994)	n = 25 with ADHD; n = 24 comparison.  Ages 6–12. 100% male	Youth with ADHD had fewer friendships (sociometrically  assessed), after 3 days interacting with unfamiliar peers
Gresham et al. (1998)	n = 25 with ADHD + conduct problems;  n = 105 with externalizing/internalizing  problems without ADHD; n = 101  comparison. Third graders. 58% male	The ADHD + conduct problem group had the fewest  friendships (sociometrically assessed), followed by the  externalizing/internalizing group; comparison youth had the  most friendships. Group differences persisted across a year
Hoza et al. (2005a)	n = 165 with ADHD; n = 165 comparison;  ages 7–9. 79% male	Children with ADHD had fewer friendships (sociometrically  assessed). Comorbid anxiety disorders with ADHD  associated with fewer friendships at a trend level
Heiman (2005)	n = 39 with ADHD; n = 17 comparison;  ages 7–12. 77% male	No youth self-report differences in number of friends; parents  and teachers reported fewer friends for youth with ADHD.  Youth with ADHD self-reported poorer relationship quality  in their friendships
Marshal et al. (2003)	n = 142 who had ADHD in childhood; n = 100  comparison with no history of ADHD.  Ages 13–18. 94% male	Youth with a history of ADHD self-reported that their friends  were more likely to use substances relative to comparison  youth