DOI

10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1807337

Abstract

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a prevalent neurodevelopmental condition associated with impairments across educational, occupational, and social domains. Individuals with ADHD are often exposed to misunderstanding and negative evaluation, which can contribute to stigma and psychological distress. Recently, “masking”—efforts to conceal or compensate for ADHD-related characteristics to meet social expectations—has been discussed as a potential behavioral response to stigma, yet empirical research on this phenomenon remains limited. This narrative review synthesizes English-language research on public stigma and self-stigma related to ADHD and examines how stigma may be associated with masking behaviors in ADHD, drawing on conceptual insights from the literature on autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other related fields. In addition, the review situates these processes within the Japanese cultural context, highlighting how cultural characteristics may intensify stigma and contribute to distinctive patterns of masking. By integrating cross-cultural perspectives and highlighting gaps in the current literature, this review underscores the need for ADHD-specific conceptual frameworks, culturally sensitive research, and longitudinal studies to clarify the mechanisms linking stigma and masking. These insights highlight the need for ADHD-specific and culturally sensitive frameworks to inform future research and intervention development.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

3-30-2026

Publisher Statement

© 2026 Maeda, Knouse, Takeda, Masudomi, Takahashi, Katsuragawa and Kumano.

This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

Download

Included in

Psychology Commons

Share

COinS