ADHD, Gender, and Entrepreneurship

This chapter examines the intersection of entrepreneurship, neurodiversity – with a particular focus on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) – and gender. It underscores the concept of neurodiversity, which acknowledges the uniqueness of each individual’s brain and embraces the natural variations in mental functioning. This perspective encourages a new way of thinking about mental health in the context of entrepreneurship. Through a review of the literature, this chapter discusses how ADHD influences various aspects of entrepreneurship, such as attitudes, behaviors, and outcomes. It also examines the role of gender and highlights the differences in entrepreneurial endeavors and in the diagnosis and manifestations of ADHD symptoms across genders. The chapter points out that gender stereotypes related to both ADHD and entrepreneurship have led to underdiagnosis and inadequate support for women entrepreneurs, who tend to exhibit less noticeable symptoms. This creates significant hurdles to their success in entrepreneurial settings. Despite the acknowledged differences in how ADHD and entrepreneurship are experienced across genders, research in this area remains limited. The chapter concludes by calling for a gender-sensitive approach in diagnosing and supporting individuals with ADHD. It stresses the importance of further academic research into the heterogeneous effects of ADHD on entrepreneurial outcomes and calls for studies that specifically examine the intersections of gender, ADHD, and entrepreneurship, while also addressing existing methodological challenges.