Mind wandering during attention performance: Effects of ADHD-inattention symptomatology, negative mood, ruminative response style and working memory capacity.

Jens H. van Dalfsen,Lisa M. Jonkman,Michael S. Franklin,C. Rob. Markus,Phil Asherson

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0181213

Jens H. van Dalfsen, Lisa M. Jonkman + Show 3 more

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https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0181213

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Abstract

ObjectiveIn adulthood, depressive mood is often comorbid with ADHD, but its role in ADHD-inattentiveness and especially relations with mind wandering remains to be elucidated. This study investigated the effects of laboratory-induced dysphoric mood on task-unrelated mind wandering and its consequences on cognitive task performance in college students with high (n = 46) or low (n = 44) ADHD-Inattention symptomatology and Hyperactivity/Impulsivity symptoms in the normal range.MethodsThese non-clinical high/low ADHD-Inattention symptom groups underwent negative or positive mood induction after which mind wandering frequency was measured in a sustained attention (SART), and a reading task. Effects of ruminative response style and working memory capacity on mind wandering frequency were also investigated.ResultsSignificantly higher frequencies of self -reported mind wandering in daily life, in the SART and reading task were reported in the ADHD-Inattention symptom group, with detrimental effects on text comprehension in the reading task. Induced dysphoric mood did specifically enhance the frequency of mind wandering in the ADHD-Inattention symptom group only during the SART, and was related to their higher self-reported intrusive ruminative response styles. Working memory capacity did not differ between high/low attention groups and did not influence any of the reported effects.ConclusionsThese combined results suggest that in a non-clinical sample with high ADHD-inattention symptoms, dysphoric mood and a ruminative response style seem to be more important determinants of dysfunctional mind wandering than a failure in working memory capacity/executive control, and perhaps need other ways of remediation, like cognitive behavioral therapy or mindfulness training.

Highlights

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a persistent neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impairing symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity, affecting 5% of children and adolescents and 2,5% of adults worldwide [1]. within non-diagnosed populations, such as college students, 2 to 8% reports clinically significant levels of ADHD symptoms associated with higher levels of functional, social and academic impairment [2]
Higher frequencies of self -reported mind wandering in daily life, in the sustained attention to response task (SART) and reading task were reported in the ADHD-Inattention symptom group, with detrimental effects on text comprehension in the reading task
Induced dysphoric mood did enhance the frequency of mind wandering in the ADHD-Inattention symptom group only during the SART, and was related to their higher self-reported intrusive ruminative response styles

Summary

Introduction

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a persistent neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impairing symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity, affecting 5% of children and adolescents and 2,5% of adults worldwide [1]. Within non-diagnosed populations, such as college students, 2 to 8% reports clinically significant levels of ADHD symptoms associated with higher levels of functional, social and academic impairment [2]. As suggested by some authors, one such possible distinctive attention disorder underlying ADHD attention problems might be a pathological form of mind wandering [4]. Since 2 to 8% of college students report clinically significant levels of ADHD symptoms associated with higher levels of functional, social and academic impairment [2], it is important to investigate pathological mind wandering as a possible underlying cause for their attention problems

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