Background This study examines the influence of attention-deficit/hyperactivity on school adjustment among adolescents and investigates the moderated mediation effect of depression on household economic status.
Methods The research hypotheses were tested using data from the Korean Teenagers’ Mental Health Study and analyzed utilizing the PROCESS Macro method.
Results Attention-deficit/hyperactivity had a significant negative impact on students’ school adjustment. Additionally, depression partially mediated the relationship between attention-deficit/hyperactivity and school adjustment. While household economic status did not moderate the influence of attention-deficit/hyperactivity on school adjustment, it did moderate the mediating effect of depression. Specifically, the mediating effect of depression on the relationship between attention-deficit/hyperactivity and school adjustment was more pronounced for adolescents from low-income households than for those from medium- or high- income households.
Conclusions This study discusses the research implications and considerations.