2

Coming into adulthood is a difficult transition and for those with ADHD, it can be especially challenging. ADHD affects executive functioning, which means that cognitive processes like setting and achieving goals, organization, and completing tasks are often difficult to carry out (Martin et al., 2017). As an emerging adult, the skills that are most commonly affected by ADHD are important for optimal functioning, especially in the context of American society. Resources to assist young adults with these skills are scarce, especially for those who don’t have access to counseling or the skill-set to interpret scientific research findings. This is why self-help options could be an incredible tool for this group.

One of the most attractive aspects of self-help content is that it is usually free to consume, with a few exceptions like books or supplies. Related to this, you don’t have to seek out another person to help you with it, therein lies the “self” aspect of self-help. Additionally, self-help isn’t a novel concept and has been circulating throughout literature for centuries; this is an unsurprising fact because humans are hard-wired to seek meaning and understanding of themselves and their environment (Kleinknecht, 2021). This is why self-help can be so useful, because people are naturally inclined towards self-improvement. As outlined by self-determination theorists, the need for competence is one of the three most important psychological needs that motivate people towards self-fulfillment (Deci & Ryan, 2000). For those with ADHD, however, feeling competent is sometimes undermined by negative experiences and self-view. However, wise interventions can help change these feelings of competency. Changing who you are, though, is a difficult task, because much of what makes up our identity and what we believe is ingrained in our minds through neurological patterns of activation. However, wise interventions are not aiming to change the self, but rather the perspective one has on their situation. Through altered meanings and mindsets, positive change can be attained. And through this individual positive growth, we can also hope for greater social change as well.

While self-help is an extremely useful contribution of psychology to society, there are aspects of it that psychologists need to be wary of. First of all, there is no such thing as a “one-size-fits-all” approach to self-help and wise interventions, as all people exist in individual and unique environments. It is extremely important to recognize that the self exists in a social space and is not a separate, uninfluenced entity (Schamel, 2020). Next, it is vital that psychologists who are dispensing self-help tools engage in the same methodological rigor they would in a research setting (Walton & Wilson, 2018). The application of wise interventions should aim for a balance of scientific processes and real-world situational concerns to maintain external as well as internal validity (Kleinknecht, 2021). As with any application of psychological knowledge, there are ethical considerations to take into account and cautionary steps to implement to avoid contradictory outcomes. Finally, wise interventions shouldn’t be seen as a “one-stop-shop” for self-improvement, as positive growth takes time and consistency. It is easy to fall back into old habits of thinking and doing, especially for those with ADHD who struggle to maintain focus on a task, which is why self-help should be an ongoing process.

As previously mentioned, there are always barriers to access information about important psychological practices. Socioeconomic factors can impact how much time someone has in their day, cultural factors can influence how central the self is to someone’s daily life, and other social factors like work or school can make it hard to find the time or the motivation to engage in self-help practices. However, it is often these people who would benefit most from the information that psychologists have to offer. As psychology scholars, it is our moral obligation to tell people what we know in order to promote well-being (Miller, 1969). As the paradigm of psychology shifts, it is imperative that we put energy and thought into giving psychology away to the general population. In doing this, though, we should be knowledgeable about the barriers that exist to avoid putting information out there that can’t be accessed. Additionally, maintaining focus on interventions that are situated in a social framework is important to creating useful practices for all kinds of people. Self-help is a promising field of application and with the thoughtful implementation of research findings, we can give people the tools to improve their lives. Through the promotion of human welfare on the individual level, we can also hope for a brighter future for society as a whole. This is the goal of this project; to provide tailored resources for the young adult ADHD population that gives them the tools to succeed in their personal lives and on a larger social scale as well.