“I’m starting to control it, not it controlling me” : young men’s lived experiences of growing up in Aotearoa New Zealand with coexisting ADHD and eczema : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Health Science in Psychology at Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand

Abstract

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and eczema are both prevalent childhood conditions and research reveals having an atopic condition, like eczema, increases the chances of ADHD by 30% to 50%. However, prior to this study the lived experiences of having coexisting ADHD and eczema (Co-ADEx) had not been researched. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore how young men growing up in Aotearoa New Zealand with Co-ADEx understand and make sense of the perceived impacts and interactions of these conditions through ordinary and everyday lived experiences. Additionally, participants’ perceptions of support were explored to gain insight into how supported they felt growing up with Co-ADEx. This research was guided by hermeneutic phenomenology, wherein semi-structured interviews were conducted with five young New Zealand men (aged 20 to 25 years), each having childhood eczema and diagnosed with ADHD. Rich data emerged as participants reflected on their ordinary and everyday lived experiences. It was analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). The findings revealed subtle and explicit interplays between ADHD and eczema; the development of resilience through adversity; day to-day experiences of Co-ADEx being strongly influenced by societal understandings; the discovery of an ADHD “adrenaline tank” which uses movement, excitement, and/or intellectual simulation as fuel; and a support “village” of parents, teachers, and peers as integral to increasing positive outcomes, and reducing negative ones. Overall, the findings from this study provide a foundation for understanding what it is like for young men to have grown up with Co-ADEx. Future research could explore each finding independently, enabling a deeper understanding of the phenomena of interest. IPA does not enable generalisability; therefore, this research may pave the way for considering what it might be like for girls growing up in New Zealand with Co-ADEx to create a more complete picture.