Associations Between ADHD Symptoms and Rejection Sensitivity in College Students: Exploring a Path Model With Indicators of Mental Well-Being

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the association between attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms and rejection sensitivity in college students, and whether it is mediated or moderated by elements of mental well-being. Using a cross-sectional design, the study examined 304 Hungarian college students who responded online to a set of questionnaires that included the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale, The Mental Health Test, and the Rejection Sensitivity Questionnaire. Path analysis indicated that well-being, creative/executive proficiency, self-regulation, and resilience partially mediated the relationship between ADHD symptoms and rejection sensitivity, while savoring moderated this link. The model explained up to 50% of the total variance in rejection sensitivity scores. Findings suggest that university students with ADHD symptoms may particularly benefit from acquiring savoring skills to enhance their mental well-being and lower rejection to sensitivity. As such, the results carry significant implications for counseling psychologists, educators, and mental health professionals working in the higher education sector.