Effectiveness of the Mobile Stress Autism Mate (SAM) Application in Adults with ADHD: A Mixed–Methods Pilot Study

Adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) often experience high stress and poor quality of life (QoL), potentially exacerbated by co-occurring challenges such as alexithymia and rejection sensitivity dysphoria (RSD). This mixed–methods pilot study evaluated the preliminary effectiveness of the Stress Autism Mate (SAM), a free mobile self-help app originally developed in co-creation with autistic adults, in reducing perceived stress, alexithymia, and RSD, and improving stress recognition, coping self-efficacy and QoL in adults with ADHD.