Perceived Control Over Time Among College Students with and without Attention Deficits and/or Specific Learning Disorders.

Abstract

Background: College students cope with a variety of activities that demand organizational skills which may increase stress. Perceived control over time is the perception of having enough time to finish one’s work meet one’s deadlines. This influences time management behaviors, satisfaction, independent engagement in daily activities, academic success and stress. Aim: To evaluate the self-perception of daily functions and control over time among college students with and without Attention Deficits and/or Specific Learning Disorders, who were seeking support, correlated with their demographic characteristics. Method: Participants: Thirty-six students (3 males, 33 females), mean age 23.42 + 4.80, who approached the college's student support center. Instruments: Behavioral Rating Inventory of Executive Functions (BRIEF- A) and Time Organization and Participation Scale (TOPS). Results: Significant correlations were found between the BRIEF - A and the TOPS subscales. Comorbidity of SLD and ADHD was associated with a lower perceived performance as measured in those scales while the demographic variables did not. Conclusions: Occupational therapists may have an important role in students' support centers and are encouraged to evaluate perceived control over time, of students, facilitate time management skills, and guide a discovery of strategies for balancing between demanding academic and extra curriculums tasks.