{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,19]],"date-time":"2026-09-19T13:06:13Z","timestamp":1789823173566,"version":"4.0.1"},"reference-count":60,"publisher":"Frontiers Media SA","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,7]],"date-time":"2026-08-07T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1786060800000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["frontiersin.org"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["Front. Psychiatry"],"abstract":"<jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Objective<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Attention-Deficit\/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in adulthood is a complex neuropsychiatric condition characterized by inattention, hyperactivity\/impulsivity, often associated with emotional dysregulation, with a significant impact on global functioning, self-esteem, and quality of life. The aim of this study is to compare the effects of atomoxetine and methylphenidate on quality of life and self-esteem in adults diagnosed with ADHD.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Methods<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>A naturalistic observational study was conducted on a sample of adults, divided into methylphenidate and atomoxetine treatment groups. Assessments were performed at baseline (T0) and after a mean period (T1) of 176.37 (\u00b1\u00a0173.83 SD) days using Barkley Adult ADHD Rating Scale-IV (BAARS-IV) Quick Screen, Adult ADHD Quality of Life (AAQoL-29), Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), and Global Assessment Functioning (GAF).<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Results<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>At T1, we showed a significant improvement in both groups in all dimensions: reduction of ADHD symptoms (BAARS total: p = 0.012), increase in overall quality of life (AAQoL-29 total: p &amp;lt; 0.001) and global functioning (GAF: p &amp;lt; 0.001), as well as an increase in self-esteem scores (RSES total: p = 0.0002). Methylphenidate proved more effective than atomoxetine in improving both quality of life (total AAQoL-29: p = 0.006) and self-esteem (total RSES: p = 0.031). Correlation analysis showed that symptom severity, assessed with the DIVA 5 test, was inversely proportional to levels of self-esteem (Spearman rho = -0.3269; p = 0.0131) and quality of life (Spearman rho = -0.3758; p = 0.0040) and that RSES and AAQoL-29 scores were positively correlated (Spearman rho = 0.6357; p = 0.0000).<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Conclusion<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Our study confirms that pharmacological therapy in adult ADHD not only improves core symptoms but also promotes improvement in self-esteem and personal efficacy, essential components for the recovery of psychological and social well-being.<\/jats:p>\n                  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