Abstract
This qualitative phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of women in professional leadership roles who are also mothers of children diagnosed with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Positioned at the intersection of leadership and caregiving, these women navigate complex dual-role demands that require both cognitive resilience and adaptive leadership. The purpose of this study was to understand how these mothers experience, interpret, and give meaning to their dual responsibilities, and to identify the strategies they use to cope, lead, and thrive despite the challenges of role strain.
Guided by Role Strain Theory and Adaptive Leadership Theory, this research aimed to uncover how participants balance the emotional labor of parenting a neurodivergent child with the expectations of their professional roles. Using a phenomenological case study design, in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of working mothers in leadership positions across various professional sectors. Data were analyzed through thematic coding, revealing five core themes: cognitive resilience, empathetic leadership, reflective adaptability, advocacy-driven motivation, and redefining success.
Findings suggest that while these women face significant challenges including emotional fatigue, professional stigma, and societal expectations, they also develop enhanced leadership qualities, including greater empathy, flexibility, and problem-solving capacity. Their dual roles foster a unique synergy in which the demands of motherhood inform and strengthen their leadership, and vice versa. This study contributes to the literature on women’s leadership, caregiving, and neurodiversity, highlighting the need for inclusive workplace policies, mental health support, and leadership development frameworks that recognize the strengths and complexities of working mothers raising children with ADHD.