Disclosing Neurodivergence: The Effects of Gender and Self-Disclosure on Perceptions of Employees with ADHD (2023)

Undergraduate: Awele Asianah

Faculty Advisor: Shimul Melwani
Department: Kenan Flagler Business School

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The rise of the neurodiversity movement in workplaces has emphasized the need for both employees and organizational leaders to have an increased awareness of neurodiversity. However, studies around the experiences of neurodivergent individuals are rarely examined from an organizational perspective. This study aims to understand how gender differences among those with ADHD impact coworker perceptions of their ability and effort, resulting in downstream effects at work. Using an experimental vignette, this study finds that men who show ADHD symptoms are perceived to be less effortful and less competent than women with ADHD. Upon disclosure, however, men are viewed in a more positive light. My findings also suggest that effort perceptions predict intentions to reward those with ADHD and assessments of ability predict a desire to work with them again. I highlight the importance of understanding neurodiversity, not only for neurodivergent individuals but also in terms of others’ perceptions of them.

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