Does Mind-Wandering Explain ADHD-Related Impairment in Adolescents?

Tycho J. Dekkers*, Ajda Flisar, Adrian Karami Motaghi, Alexandra Karl, Matilda A. Frick, Bianca E. Boyer

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

    1 Citation (Scopus)
    28 Downloads (Pure)

    Abstract

    Currently, diagnostic criteria for ADHD mainly reflect behavioral symptoms, neglecting internal phenomena like mind-wandering. Recent studies found that mind-wandering explains impairment beyond ADHD symptoms in adults. To better capture ADHD-related impairment in adolescents, we aimed to elucidate whether mind-wandering is associated with impairments that are prevalent in adolescents (i.e., risk-taking behavior, homework problems, emotional dysregulation, and general impairment) beyond ADHD symptoms. Furthermore, we sought to validate the Dutch translation of the Mind Excessively Wandering Scale (MEWS). We assessed a community sample of 626 adolescents on ADHD symptoms, mind-wandering, and the impairment domains. The Dutch MEWS had good psychometric properties. Mind-wandering was linked to general impairment and emotional dysregulation beyond ADHD symptoms, but was not linked to risk-taking behavior and homework problems beyond ADHD symptoms. Internal psychological phenomena such as mind-wandering may add to the behavioral symptoms of ADHD in explaining part of the impairment that adolescents with ADHD characteristics experience.

    Original languageEnglish
    Number of pages12
    JournalChild Psychiatry and Human Development
    Early online date29-Jun-2023
    DOIs
    Publication statusE-pub ahead of print - 29-Jun-2023

    Keywords

    • Adolescence
    • Attention-deficit
    • Hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
    • Impairment
    • Mind-wandering

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