| Title: |
Mad Studies in Education: Attendees' Perceived Effectiveness of a Symposium on OCD and ADHD |
| Language: |
English |
| Authors: |
Kinsey Simone (ORCID 0000-0002-8284-1502); David T. Culkin (ORCID 0000-0002-3450-4157); Leann Taylor; Amy Callender (ORCID 0009-0008-0309-2381); McClane Oakley |
| Source: |
New Horizons in Adult Education & Human Resource Development. 2026 38(1):37-54. |
| Availability: |
SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com |
| Peer Reviewed: |
Y |
| Page Count: |
18 |
| Publication Date: |
2026 |
| Document Type: |
Journal Articles; Reports - Research |
| Descriptors: |
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder; Anxiety Disorders; Conferences (Gatherings); Program Effectiveness; Audiences; Attitudes; Empathy; Knowledge Level; Clinical Diagnosis; Mental Health; Social Bias; Attitudes toward Disabilities; Students with Disabilities; Educational Attainment; Age Differences |
| DOI: |
10.1177/19394225251376735 |
| ISSN: |
1939-4225 |
| Abstract: |
As the first quantitative contribution to Mad Studies, this research examined how attendees experienced an educational panel symposium (Mad Topics) on obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). We assessed perceptions of overall effectiveness (increased empathy and understanding of invisible disabilities) and whether perceived benefits differed based on relation to Madness (OCD/ADHD diagnoses for self, family, or acquaintance). Mad theories guided symposium development and implementation, as well as interpretation of quantitative and qualitative responses to a retrospective post-survey. Findings leave valuable implications for research in Mad Studies, a growing body of knowledge generated by anti-psychiatric survivors, social critics of the mental health system, and scholars and activists who Mad-identify. Attendees perceived the panel as overall effective, emphasizing the opportunity for community-building and sharing lived experiences in a safe place. Interestingly, perceptions differed on family relation to OCD and ADHD; caregivers of those with complex and multi-faceted mental illnesses, like OCD, may benefit from a different platform. As neurodivergent scholars and panelists, we present a unique study of an inaugural and holistic event which provided the public and practitioners with practical insights into increasing community mental health literacy and reducing disability stigmas. We provide novel implications for using quantitative methodologies in Mad Studies, as well as using human-centered Mad approaches within quantitative inquiry. |
| Abstractor: |
As Provided |
| Entry Date: |
2026 |
| Accession Number: |
EJ1496726 |
| Database: |
ERIC |