An Anti-Capitalist, Strength-Based Approach for Working with ADHD in Generation Z: A Hypothetical Proposal from a Critical Systems Theoretical Lens

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dc.contributor.authorVanderWijn, Justine
dc.date.accessioned2025-05-16T22:10:55Z
dc.date.available2025-05-16T22:10:55Z
dc.date.issued2024-06
dc.description.abstractThere is a growing body of literature pointing to ways in which capitalist systems may serve to maintain the environmental demands that contribute to the ever-growing rates of Attention Deficit/Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) we are seeing in Generation Z (Gen Z) today. There is also a significant amount of debate within the literature surrounding the nature, etiology, expression, and treatment of ADHD. Finally, there is research pointing to strengths and positive aspects associated with ADHD such as creativity, hyperfocus, divergent thinking, and early survival skills and how strength-based approaches can be highly beneficial in treating ADHD (Charabin et al., 2023; Dein, 2015; Schippers et al., 2022; Sedgwick et al., 2019). In response to these themes, I discuss critical systems theory and present my research question which is: how might an anti-capitalist, strength-based understanding of ADHD hypothetically be used to effectively treat and improve the lives of Gen Z youth with ADHD? In chapter two, I discuss proposed links between capitalism and ADHD, followed by an overview of some of the debates in the literature surrounding ADHD, many of which reflect problems conceivably stemming from capitalism. Next, I provide literature specific to Gen Z ADHD followed by an explanation of the anti-capitalist strength-based lens through which I am suggesting we can view ADHD to better understand our Gen Z clients. I conclude the literature review with a brief overview of some non-medical approaches for treating ADHD followed by a discussion on the limitations of my research. In chapter three, I will hypothesize and articulate how an anti-capitalist, strength-based approach could potentially be beneficial for working effectively with at least some Gen Z clients diagnosed with ADHD.
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11803/3426
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisher.institutionCity University of Seattle (CityU)
dc.rightsAttribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 United States
dc.rightsopenAccess
dc.rights.urihttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/us/
dc.subjectattention deficit/hyperactivity disorder
dc.subjectADHD
dc.subjectgeneration Z
dc.subjectanti-capitalist
dc.subjectstrength-based
dc.subjectnon-medical ADHD treatment approaches
dc.subjectcritical systems theory
dc.titleAn Anti-Capitalist, Strength-Based Approach for Working with ADHD in Generation Z: A Hypothetical Proposal from a Critical Systems Theoretical Lens
dc.typeCapstone
thesis.degree.disciplineCounselling
thesis.degree.grantorCity University of Seattle (CityU)
thesis.degree.levelMasters
thesis.degree.nameCounselling
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