1*PhD Scholar in Psychology, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara. Email: kavithamadhav.g@gmail.com
2Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, School of Liberal and Creative Arts (Social Sciences & Languages), Lovely Professional University, Phagwara
Background: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) presents differently across genders. In school-aged girls, symptoms are often predominantly inattentive and internalizing, and in India, these are frequently masked by cultural expectations of docility and compliance.
Objective: This narrative review examines evidence on emotional dysregulation (ED) and internalizing symptoms in school aged Indian girls.
Data Sources: Searches were conducted in PubMed, Scopus, PsycINFO, Google Scholar, and Indian databases. Peer-reviewed studies focusing on female ADHD phenomenology, ED or internalizing outcomes, and Indian populations were included.
Methods: Identified studies were analyzed thematically to identify patterns in symptom presentation, comorbidities, and sociocultural influences.
Results: Girls most commonly exhibited inattentive-dominant ADHD (60–80%), with high prevalence of ED, including irritability and mood lability, and internalizing comorbidities such as anxiety and depression. Cultural factors, including patriarchal norms and stigma, were found to exacerbate symptom masking. Indian studies also reported delayed diagnosis (mean age 11.5 years) and increased academic difficulties.
Limitations: Heterogeneity in study designs and measures precluded meta-analysis, and most research was urban-centric, limiting generalizability.
Conclusions: Early, gender-sensitive screening and culturally tailored interventions are critical to identify ADHD in girls and mitigate associated emotional and academic risks.
Keywords: adhd phenomenology, gender differences, emotional dysregulation, internalizing symptoms, indian school girls, inattentive subtype, cultural masking.
How to cite this article: Kavitha C, Sucheta. The Gender-Specific Phenomenology of ADHD: A Narrative Review of Emotional Dysregulation and Internalizing Symptoms among Indian School-Aged Girls. Int J Drug Deliv Technol. 2026;16(3): 200-203. DOI: 10.25258/ijddt.16.3.25
Source of support: Nil.
Conflict of interest: None