Does Role Stress Explain the Relationship between Adult Attention Deficit and the Operational Performance of Project Managers?

Abstract

Research suggests that adult attention related disorders and stress cost the US economy approximately $400 billion of lost productivity per annum. This study examines the mediating influence of role stress (RS) on the relationship between adult attention deficit (AAD) and the operational effectiveness of project managers (OEPM). One hundred and twenty actively employed business graduate students each had the opportunity to be a project manager within a project team. Each team member rated the others on their OEPM, completed a self-report measure of RS, and identified a close associate who completed an observer version of the Brown Attention Deficit Scale. Product moment correlations were used to test the hypotheses that AAD, RS and OEPM were associated, and both the Hayes Process and Sobel tests were used to test the hypothesis that RS mediates the relationship between AAD and OEPM. AAD has a positive association with RS and a negative association with OEPM. RS has a negative association with OEPM. RS partially mediates the relationship between AAD and OEPM. Organizations wanting to ensure timely and successful completion of projects need to be aware of the constraining influence of AAD on OEPM and the mediating influence of RS. Interventions and resources that assist disordered project managers to better manage attention challenges, role stress, and the operational aspects of project management may help retain the creative benefits of the disorder while managing the associated operational challenges.