Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate difficulties with emotion regulation and attachment characteristics in adolescents diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) for the first time and to compare these patients with healthy controls. Method: This research was conducted as a cross-sectional study and included a healthy control group for comparison. A total of 48 untreated adolescents with ADHD and 51 healthy subjects participated in the study. A structural

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... ew was used to determine psychiatric disorders. All of the participants were assessed using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised. Emotion regulation and attachment characteristics were assessed with the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale and the Experiences in Close Relationships Scale. The ADHD symptoms of the case group were evaluated using the Conners' Parent Rating Scale, which was completed by the patients' parents. Results: Adolescents with ADHD displayed poorer performance in emotion regulation and had a higher avoidant attachment score. Furthermore, emotional regulation difficulties and attachment scores correlated with the severity of the ADHD. Conclusion: Difficulty in emotion regulation and insecure-avoidant attachment styles were more common in untreated adolescents with ADHD. The study findings support the view that ADHD is a heterogeneous condition and that insecure attachment style and emotional regulation should be considered in the assessment and treatment of ADHD.