Investigating Health, Equity, and Resilience in Girls and Women With ADHD Across the Lifespan

NCT07597707 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: REB24-1933
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 1,460
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The goal of this observational study is to generate a comprehensive, multi-dimensional dataset of health indicators collected from girls and women (aged 10 years and older) with and without ADHD across the lifespan. Participants will be asked to complete a detailed survey about hormonal and developmental life phases, ADHD status and symptoms, childhood experiences, health and well-being, and psychosocial outcomes.

Conditions

ADHD

Keywords

ADHD; women; woman; girl; girls; female; females; hormone; hormones; hormonal

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Self-reported mental health

  Self-reported mental health history (assessed using a study-developed questionnaire querying current depression, anxiety, OCD, bipolar disorder, personality disorders, conduct disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, learning disorders, and other mental health challenges, as well as medication use for these conditions). This is a check list of disorders in which participants can self-identify diagnoses. There is no minimum/maximum.

  baseline (upon entry into study)

• Depression, anxiety, and stress

  Depression, anxiety, and stress measured using the 18-item Depression Anxiety Stress Scales. Participants are asked to use 4-point severity/frequency scales to rate the extent to which they have experienced each state over the past week. Scores for Depression, Anxiety and Stress are calculated by summing the scores for the relevant items. Higher scores are indicative of greater distress.

  baseline (upon entry into study)

Study Arms (3)

Diagnosed ADHD

Participants who self-report that they have been diagnosed with ADHD by a healthcare practitioner.

Other: No Intervention: Observational Cohort

Suspected ADHD

Participants who self-report that they suspect they have ADHD but have not received a formal diagnosis.

Other: No Intervention: Observational Cohort

Controls

Participants who neither have a self-reported diagnosis of ADHD, nor suspect they have ADHD.

Other: No Intervention: Observational Cohort

Interventions

No Intervention: Observational Cohort OTHER

This is an observational study with no intervention. Participants will only complete self-report questionnaires.

Controls; Diagnosed ADHD; Suspected ADHD

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 10 Years+
• Sex: female
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Recruitment will occur via multiple methods. Advertisements will be posted in communities across Canada (e.g., in medical clinics, ADHD clinics, community centres, etc.) via flyers and posters. In addition, recruitment materials will be posted online through social media posts (e.g., Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn), and University websites (e.g., The University of Calgary's 'Participate in Research' website). Potential participants will also be free to share recruitment information through their personal social media/email platforms or forward recruitment information to others, and study collaborators will disseminate recruitment information through their available channels and through community partner organizations. Lastly, eligible participants who have previously enrolled in our research studies and have consented to be contacted for future studies will be invited to participate.

You may qualify if:

• Assigned female at birth or identify as girl or women
• Fluency in English or French
• Aged 10 years or older
• Currently reside in Canada
• Access to technology to complete study measures

You may not qualify if:

• Self-reported intellectual disability

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Calgary: lead

Study Sites (1)

University of Calgary

Calgary, Alberta, T2N 1N4, Canada

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders; Neurodevelopmental Disorders; Mental Disorders

Study Officials

• Emma A Climie, PhD

  University of Calgary

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Emma A Climie, PhD

CONTACT

403-220-7770; eaclimie@ucalgary.ca

Brandy L Callahan, PhD

CONTACT

4032207291; brandy.callahan@ucalgary.ca

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: CROSS SECTIONAL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Associate Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 7, 2026
• First Posted: May 19, 2026
• Study Start: August 25, 2025
• Primary Completion (Estimated): December 31, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 31, 2026
• Last Updated: May 19, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-05

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share
• Shared Documents: STUDY PROTOCOL, ANALYTIC CODE
• Time Frame: Individual participant data and supporting materials will become available after data collection is complete. Data will be available upon reasonable request for scientific research purposes, subject to approval by the principal investigator and in accordance with participant consent and applicable privacy regulations. Data will remain available indefinitely after completion of the study.
• Access Criteria: Researchers may request access to de-identified individual participant data (IPD) and related materials for scientific purposes. Accessible materials include the de-identified dataset, along with the study protocol and analytic code. Access requests should be directed to the principal investigator, who will review and approve them in line with participant consent, applicable privacy regulations, and institutional data governance policies. Approved data sharing may be facilitated through a formal data sharing agreement.

Locations

CA (1)