Attention-deficit/hyperactivity Disorder Symptomatology Research Articles

Resting-State Functional Connectivity Predicts Attention Problems in Children: Evidence from the ABCD Study.

Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder, and numerous functional and structural differences have been identified in the brains of individuals with ADHD compared to controls. This study uses data from the baseline sample of the large, epidemiologically informed Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study of children aged 9-10 years old (N = 7979). Cross-validated Poisson elastic net regression models were used to predict a dimensional measure of ADHD symptomatology from within- and between-network resting-state correlations and several known risk factors, such as biological sex, socioeconomic status, and parental history of problematic alcohol and drug use. We found parental history of drug use and biological sex to be the most important predictors of attention problems. The connection between the default mode network and the dorsal attention network was the only brain network identified as important for predicting attention problems. Specifically, we found that reduced magnitudes of the anticorrelation between the default mode and dorsal attention networks relate to increased attention problems in children. Our findings complement and extend recent studies that have connected individual differences in structural and task-based fMRI to ADHD symptomatology and individual differences in resting-state fMRI to ADHD diagnoses.

Breaking Down Barriers: Understanding Determinants of Exercise in Adults with ADHD Symptoms

AbstractAutonomous/intrinsic exercise motivation has been found to be negatively linked with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) symptomatology, but it is unclear how this might be expressed in terms of different determinants of exercise (barriers/facilitators) to Physical Exercise (PE). Additionally, ADHD symptomatology has been found to be linked with increased Exercise Dependence (ED) risk, meaning the relationship between these determinants of exercise and ED should also be considered. This cross-sectional study investigated the relationship between PE, ADHD symptoms, barriers/determinants of exercise, and ED. 362 participants (77.07% female) completed an online survey measuring: PE level (IPAQ-L); ADHD symptomatology (ADHD-RS-IV); subclinical ADHD diagnosis (ADHD-RS-IV); ED (EDS-R) and determinants of exercise (DPAQ). Significant differences were found in the levels of barriers to PE (Coping Planning; Emotion; Beliefs about Capabilities; and Motivation) between subclinical and Non-ADHD participants, with subclinical ADHD participants experiencing more. Additionally, significant positive correlations were observed between determinants of exercise and ED (Motivation; Beliefs about Capabilities; Skills; Emotion; Action Planning; Coping Planning; Goal Conflict; Social). Subclinical ADHD diagnosis did not significantly moderate the relationship between any of the determinants of exercise and PE level. These findings suggest that individuals with subclinical ADHD experience greater levels of certain barriers to exercise, which may need to be overcome or targeted in any potential PE based intervention. However, since some of these barriers were linked with ED risk, caution should be exercised to avoid increasing ED rates further.

Exploring correlations between Conners' Continuous Performance Test and subjective measures of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms in a paediatric clinical sample.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a childhood-onset neurodevelopmental condition characterised by inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity. The ADHD symptoms are often evaluated and quantified using various assessment tools, such as the Conners' Continuous Performance Test II (CCPT-II), ADHD Rating Scale (ADHD-RS), Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL), Clinical Global Assessment Scale (CGAS) and Clinical Global Impression Scale (CGIS). This study sought to compare CCPT-II with parent- and clinician-rated rating scales (ADHD-RS, CBCL, CGAS and CGIS) in measuring the core ADHD symptoms within the paediatric ADHD population. The data, gathered from a large-scale randomised controlled trial involving 172 children aged 6-12 years with ADHD, was pooled, and a Pearson correlation analysis was conducted. No significant correlations were observed between CCPT-II and ADHD-RS, as well as the various subscales of CBCL, CGAS and CGIS. While CCPT-II may offer insights into ADHD symptomatology, its relationship with parent- and clinician-rated rating scales such as ADHD-RS, CBCL, CGAS and CGIS appears limited. Further research is warranted to elucidate the nuances of these assessment tools and their roles in evaluating ADHD.

B - 60 Age of ADHD Diagnosis as a Predictor of Psychiatric Symptom Reporting

Abstract Objective Childhood attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) diagnosis and intervention is thought to mitigate symptom severity and to improve outcomes. Existing literature suggests those who receive later ADHD diagnoses may attribute ADHD symptomatology to personal shortcomings, contributing to a negative self-perception and higher incidence of psychopathology. We evaluated differences in psychological functioning between adults diagnosed with ADHD in childhood (< 12) versus those first diagnosed in adolescence or adulthood. Method Cross-sectional data from 609 patients (Mage = 28.13; Meducation = 15.69; 61.4% Female/38.6% Male; 39.9% White, 27.3% Hispanic, 16.7% Black, 10.3% Asian, 5.7% Other) undergoing neuropsychological evaluation for ADHD was examined. Psychiatric symptomatology was assessed using the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II). Patients were grouped by diagnostic history: (1) ADHD diagnosis in childhood and currently (< 12); (2) current ADHD diagnosis without childhood diagnosis; and (3) no ADHD/primary psychopathology diagnosis comparison group. Results Overall, there was a significant multivariate effect across groups (Wilks’ Lambda = 0.961, F(4,1204) = 5.971, p < 0.001); patients diagnosed with ADHD in childhood had significantly lower BAI and BDI-II scores than both those diagnosed later and those diagnosed with a condition other than ADHD. Conclusion(s) Individuals diagnosed with ADHD in childhood self-reported less symptoms of anxiety and depression compared to those diagnosed with ADHD later in adolescence or adulthood and those without an ADHD diagnosis. This underscores the potential importance of early identification and intervention for ADHD in mitigating subsequent symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Sex Differences in ADHD Symptomatology Throughout the COVID-19 Pandemic

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common childhood neurodevelopmental disorders diagnosed in the world. In this thesis, I investigated sex differences in the symptomatology of childhood ADHD within a Canadian sample while also seeking to see if these symptoms increased throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants were drawn from a larger study examining child and family impact throughout the pandemic. Unexpectedly, no significant differences were found in childhood ADHD symptomatology between sexes both at the onset of the study and throughout the pandemic. However, a general increase in ADHD symptom severity throughout the pandemic was in fact found. Further investigation found this increase to be influenced in part by the impact the COVID-19 pandemic had on children. These findings support the current literature of post-pandemic changes in the symptomatology of ADHD and suggest that further research be done to understand what factors brought about this increase in symptom severity.

Harmony Amidst Hyperactivity: Understanding How Parent-Teacher Relationships Influence Learning Behaviours in Children with ADHD

The current study investigated whether parent-teacher relationships mediated the relationship between attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptomology and children’s learning behaviours. A sample of Canadian parents were asked to complete a questionnaire about their child and their parenting. Data collection occurred during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Spring 2021 (N = 321, Mgrade = 4.30, SDgrade = 2.98). Data were analyzed using a mediation model. Results indicated that increased ADHD symptomology was significantly associated with a heightened strain on parent-teacher relationships, which exacerbated challenges in children’s learning behaviours (b = -0.39, t(320) = -9.82, p < .001). Moreover, parent-teacher relationships partially mediated the relationship between ADHD symptomology and children’s learning behaviours (b = -8.95, t(320) = -18.13, p < .001). These findings emphasize the importance in addressing familial and educational support structures in managing the academic difficulties for youth experiencing ADHD symptomatology, and further educational achievement and opportunities.

The Development and Content Validation of a Clinical Screening Scale to Identify Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Cases Based on the Gender Perspective: An e-Delphi Study.

Although many studies analyse gender differences in the clinical expression of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and prevalence studies show that girls with ADHD are underdiagnosed, there are no instruments that are sensitive to the detection of girls with ADHD. The objective of this study is to develop a self-report early detection instrument for boys and girls with ADHD aged 7 to 16, which includes the gender perspective and is sensitive to the detection of girls with ADHD. The scale was developed and the items that comprised it were created from the thematic analysis of ADHD and its evaluation in children based on the diagnostic criteria of the DSM-5-TR. A modified e-Delphi method involving a three-round web survey was used to establish a consensus on the content of the scale. Ten experts were recruited to form a professional panel. The panel members were asked to assess the differential symptomatology of ADHD in boys and girls, the dimensions to be evaluated, and the importance of scale items to evaluate the content. A consensus was reached regarding 13 total items distributed in three dimensions: inattention; hyperactivity/impulsivity; and, a third dimension, internalisation, which includes symptoms most present in the expression of ADHD in girls. To the best of our knowledge, the development of this scale using the Delphi method is the first specific scale used for identifying ADHD that also addresses the gender perspective and the differential symptomatology between boys and girls. However, we must proceed to the analysis of psychometric properties, as the scale requires an exhaustive study of its reliability and validity. We can anticipate that this scale will provide relevant and reliable information that can be used for the identification of ADHD in both boys and girls.

Core items selection and psychometric properties of the adult attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder self-report scale-chinese short version (ASRS-CSV)

ObjectiveThis study aimed to develop and validate the Chinese Short Version of the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS-CSV), addressing the need for culturally appropriate diagnostic tools for Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in the Chinese adult population. MethodsUtilizing a combination of intergroup difference analysis, factor analysis, and network analysis, we identified core ADHD symptoms pertinent to the Chinese cultural context. The study involved two samples: a vocational and technical school sample (N=1144) and an internet sample (N=1654), comprising adults aged 16–25 years. Reliability, validity, and diagnostic efficacy of the ASRS-CSV were assessed through psychometric testing. ResultsThe ASRS-CSV demonstrated high internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha > 0.9) and robust convergent validity (AVE > 0.7). The scale's diagnostic cutoff points were optimized, revealing high sensitivity and specificity for ADHD screening. Cross-cultural analysis highlighted differences in core ADHD symptoms between Chinese and Western populations, underscoring the scale's cultural sensitivity. ConclusionThe ASRS-CSV is a reliable, valid, and efficient tool for screening ADHD in Chinese adults, reflecting the socio-cultural nuances of ADHD symptomatology. Its development marks a significant advancement in the field of psychiatry, offering a tailored approach for ADHD assessment in China and contributing to the global discourse on cross-cultural psychiatric diagnosis.

Multidimensional ADHD Symptom Profiles: Associations with Adverse Childhood Experiences.

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are associated with a range of negative health outcomes, including attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and neurocognitive deficits. This study identified symptom profiles in adult patients undergoing neuropsychological evaluations for ADHD and examined the association between these profiles and ACEs. Utilizing unsupervised machine learning models, the study analyzed data from 208 adult patients. The Gaussian Mixture Model revealed two distinct symptom profiles: "Severely Impaired" and "Moderately Impaired". The "Severely Impaired" profile, 23.6% of the sample, was characterized by more severe ADHD symptomatology in childhood and worse neurocognitive performance. The "Moderately Impaired" profile, 76.4% of the sample, had scores in the average range for self-reported internalizing and externalizing psychopathology and better neurocognitive performance. There was a greater number of ACEs reported by patients in the Severely Impaired profile than the Moderately Impaired profile (p =.022). Specifically, using an ACEs cutoff of ≥4, 53.1% of patients in the Severely Impaired profile reported four or more ACEs, compared with 34.6% in the Moderately Impaired profile (p = .020). Profiles were not related to clinician-ascribed diagnosis. Findings underscore the association between ACEs and worse symptom profiles marked by impaired neurocognitive function, increased internalizing and externalizing psychopathology, and heightened perceived stress in adults with ADHD. Future research may explore the effect of ACEs on symptom profiles in diverse populations and potential moderators or mediators of these associations. Findings offers valuable insights for clinicians in their assessment and treatment planning.

The experience of effort in ADHD: a scoping review.

Mental effort plays a critical role in regulating cognition. However, the experience of mental effort may differ for individuals with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), a disorder for which sustained mental effort 'avoidance' or 'dislike' is a criterion in the DSM. We conducted a scoping review to characterize the literature on the experiences of effort in ADHD. This systematic scoping review adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) Extension for Scoping Reviews and Joanna Briggs Methodology. PsycINFO (OVID), PsycINFO (ProQuest) and PubMed were searched for studies published in English before February 14, 2023. Studies must have included an ADHD population or a measure of ADHD symptomatology, in addition to a self-report measure of the experience of effort or the use of an effort preference paradigm. Two researchers reviewed all abstracts, and one researcher reviewed full-text articles. Only 12 studies met the inclusion criteria. Several gaps and inconsistencies in the research were identified in terms of method, definitions of effort, measurements of ADHD, and sample characteristics. Moreover, the pattern of results on the experience of effort was mixed. Despite its diagnostic and conceptual significance, the experience of mental effort in ADHD is not well studied. Critical gaps were identified in the existing literature. A three-facet conceptualization of effort is proposed-specifically, task-elicited effort, volitionally exerted effort, and the affect associated with engaging in effort - to guide future explorations of the experience of effort in ADHD.

Effects of auditory and tactile distraction in adults with low and high ADHD symptoms

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to investigate whether symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) impact distraction by unexpected deviant sounds and vibrations. The hypothesis was a difference between individuals with low and high ADHD symptom severity in deviance distraction. In a cross-modal oddball task, we measured the impact of to-be-ignored deviating auditory and vibrotactile stimuli in 45 adults. No difference was observed between groups with low and high symptoms of ADHD in their propensity for distraction between modalities using both frequentist and Bayesian methods. The impact of the deviating sounds and vibrations on performance was similar between groups. However, the amount of missed trials, which possibly reflects mind wandering or attention away from the focal task, was higher in the high-symptom group. The findings indicate some differences in habituation across the duration of the task. The complexity of adult ADHD symptomatology, especially differences in attentional control is discussed.

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Unhealthy Lifestyle in Adolescence: Unforeseen Role of Allostatic Overload and Psychological Well-Being.

Unhealthy lifestyle behaviors (ULBs) are common in early adolescence and could be worsened by Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), as well as by specific psychosocial factors, such as stress and unbalanced (i.e., too high or low scores of) psychological well-being (PWB) dimensions. This multi-center study aimed to evaluate how interactions between ADHD symptoms and psychosocial factors associated with ULBs (i.e., Allostatic Overload and multidimensional Psychological Well-Being), considered as moderators, could affect the adoption of ULBs during adolescence. A total of 440 fourteen-year-old adolescents were recruited from six upper secondary schools in Bologna and Rome (Italy) and completed self-report questionnaires on ULBs, ADHD, and psychosocial factors. Relations between ADHD symptomatology and specific ULBs (i.e., impaired sleep, problematic Internet use) were moderated by variables deemed as "negative" (i.e., Allostatic Overload) or "positive" (i.e., PWB dimensions of Self-Acceptance, Personal Growth, Positive Relations, Purpose in Life, Environmental Mastery): when the "negative" moderator is absent and the levels of the "positive" moderators are higher, ULBs decrease among students with lower ADHD symptomatology but increase among students with more severe ADHD. Based on ADHD severity, interventions should aim at promoting a state of euthymia, which consists in balanced PWB dimensions and reflects the optimal level of well-being to fulfill one's own potential and self-realization.

Association between pathological narcissism and emotion regulation: The role of self-mentalizing?

Pathological narcissism (PN) is a common psychopathological issue leading to maladaptive strategies to cope with self-esteem threats, including self-enhancement and exploitation (grandiose strategies) or internalized shame, depression, and social withdrawal (vulnerable strategies). Mentalizing is a key process for regulating self and other representations and their associated emotions. Patients with PN further struggle with emotion dysregulation (ED), which during development is intertwined with the growing capacity to mentalize. We seek to contribute to emerging empirical data documenting the associations between PN and ED and between PN and mentalizing, and to provide information on the nature of their mutual relationships. In the present study, we assessed PN, ED, and three mentalizing dimensions (mentalizing self, other, and motivation to mentalize) in 183 patients consulting in our outpatient unit specialized in ED. We found that narcissistic vulnerability was negatively associated with self-mentalizing and positively associated with overall ED, both even after adjustment for borderline and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms. However, the association with ED was not maintained after further adjustment for self-mentalizing or overall-mentalizing, which suggests that mentalizing may play a mediating role in this relationship. On the other hand, narcissistic grandiosity was positively associated with other-mentalizing and ED and negatively associated with self-mentalizing in bivariate analyses, but these last two associations were not maintained after adjustment for comorbid borderline and/or ADHD symptomatology. This study provides new information on the link between PN and ED and on key mentalizing dimensions meaningfully relating to PN, notably through a potential role of self-mentalizing processes between PN and ED.

Changes in parental attitudes toward attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder impairment over time.

Over the last decades, the prevalence of Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has increased. However, the underlying explanation for this increase remains unclear. We aimed to assess whether there has been a secular change in how parents perceive the impairment conferred by ADHD symptomatology. Data for this study were obtained from the Child and Adolescent Twin Study in Sweden, involving 27,240 individuals whose parents answered a questionnaire when the children were 9years old. We assessed the relationship between parentally perceived impairment caused by ADHD symptoms scores over time. The analysis was performed separately for five different birth cohorts, spanning three-year periods from 1995 to 2009 and for ADHD inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity dimensions. We found a consistent upward trend of parents reporting impairment in relation to ADHD symptomatology across birth cohorts. Over a 12-year period, comparing those born 2007-2009 (assessed 2016-2018) with those born 1995-1997 (assessed 2004-2006), impairment scores increased by 27% at clinically relevant levels of ADHD symptomatology. Notably, when specifically evaluating the hyperactivity/impulsivity dimension, the disparity was even more striking, with an increase of up to 77%. This study revealed a significant secular change in parental perception of impairment attributed to ADHD symptomatology over recent decades, providing new insights into the increased prevalence of ADHD. It underscores the need to better understand the factors that have contributed to the increased perception of impairment related to ADHD symptoms.

Caregiver and youth inter-rater assessment agreement in autism spectrum disorder, developmental coordination disorder, and typical development.

Youth diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and those with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) are at heightened risk for co-occurring mental health diagnoses, especially anxiety and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, caregiver-child agreement on presence of related symptoms in populations with neurodevelopmental conditions is not well understood. Here, we examine the extent to which 37 ASD, 26 DCD, and 40 typically developing children and their caregivers agree on the degree of the child's symptoms of anxiety and ADHD. All caregiver-child dyads completed the Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders and Conners 3 ADHD Index. Across groups, intraclass correlations indicated generally poor agreement on anxiety and ADHD symptomatology. Although youth generally reported greater internalizing symptoms (i.e., anxiety), caregivers tended to report more observable externalizing behaviors (i.e., ADHD). Together, the results of this study support the need for a multi-informant approach in assessments of anxiety and ADHD in youth with neurodevelopmental disorders.

Relationships between experimental task and questionnaire measures of reward/punishment sensitivity in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): protocol for a scoping review

IntroductionOne of the purported underlying causal mechanisms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is altered motivational processes. Questionnaires have been used to identify the characteristics of reward and punishment sensitivity...

Suicidal ideation and clinician-rated suicide risk in veterans referred for ADHD evaluation at a VA Medical Center.

The U.S. military veteran population experiences elevated rates of suicide relative to demographically matched community samples. Understanding suicide risk factors in veterans is therefore of critical importance. Accordingly, the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) has implemented elevated vigilance for suicidal ideation in its health care. One potential risk factor for suicidal ideation or behavior may be attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), which is frequently characterized by impaired impulse control and experience of intense emotions. To determine whether ADHD, as diagnosed by VHA assessment, may represent an independent or interactive risk factor for suicidal ideation or suicide attempt, we examined potential linkages between VHA-assessed symptomatology of ADHD and suicide attempts or ideation, either with or without the presence of comorbid VHA-assessed psychiatric symptomatology. In a retrospective chart review, we compared severity of clinician-rated suicide risk in 342 veterans (82.5% male) referred to a VHA medical center for ADHD assessment, of whom 198 were diagnosed with ADHD. Contrary to our preregistered hypotheses, there were no main or additive effects of ADHD in terms of increased suicidal ideation, clinician-rated suicide risk or in incidence of lifetime suicide attempt. Motoric impulsivity in neurocognitive testing also showed no relationship with suicide risk or attempts. Rather, consistent with previous literature, presence of a mood disorder or other non-ADHD psychopathology was linked to suicide risk ratings and attempts, irrespective of presence of ADHD symptoms. These data suggest that once comorbid symptomatology such as depression is controlled for, ADHD alone is not associated with elevated suicidal ideation or attempts in veterans. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Triarchic traits as risk versus protective factors for ADHD symptomatology: A prospective longitudinal investigation.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms are associated with myriad adverse outcomes, including interpersonal difficulties, but factors that moderate the developmental course and functional impact of ADHD over time are not well understood. The present study evaluated developmental contributions of the triarchic neurobehavioral traits (boldness, meanness, and disinhibition) to ADHD symptomatology and its subdimensions from adolescence to young adulthood. Participants were twins and triplets assessed at ages 14, 17, and 19 (initial N = 1,185, 51.2% female). Path analyses using negative binomial regression revealed that boldness at age 14 was associated with more ADHD symptoms cross-sectionally (especially hyperactivity/impulsivity), but fewer symptoms (especially inattention) at age 19 in the prospective analysis. Notably, inclusion of interpersonal problems at ages 14 and 17 as covariates reduced the latter effect to nonsignificant. Disinhibition concurrently and prospectively predicted higher levels of ADHD symptoms, including both subdimensions, and the prospective effects were partially mediated by greater social impairment at age 17. Meanness prospectively (but not concurrently) predicted higher levels of hyperactivity/impulsivity symptoms. Sex moderated certain associations of meanness and disinhibition with ADHD symptoms. These findings highlight how fundamental neurobehavioral traits shape both psychopathology and adaptive outcomes in the developmental course of ADHD.

ADHD and hypersexual behaviors: The role of impulsivity, depressive feelings, hypomaniacal symptoms and psychotic prodromes

IntroductionNumerous studies in the literature correlate hypersexual symptomatology and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The present study aimed to investigate this correlation and the eventual mediation role of impulsivity. MethodsWe recruited through an online platform a sample of 309 subjects (mean age = 34.5, SD = 15.4; females: 67.31 %); then, a sociodemographic questionnaire, together with validated psychometric scales for assessing hypersexuality, ADHD symptomatology, depression, hypomania, prodromal symptoms of psychosis and impulsivity were administered. ResultsWe found a significant association between ADHD symptomatology and hypersexuality symptoms (β = 0.459; p < 0.001). We found a significant predictive model of hypersexuality related to age, gender, depression, hypomanic symptoms, psychotic prodrome, ADHD symptomatology, and impulsivity (adjusted R2 = 0.311; p < .001). Moreover, we found that impulsivity is a significant mediator of the relationship between ADHD and hypersexuality when we considered only the hyperactive-impulsive ADHD subscale (β = 0.103; p = 0.006). Depression and psychotic prodromes have been shown a more relevant mediator effect on the relationship between ADHD and hypersexuality. ConclusionsOur results clarified the well-known relationship between ADHD and hypersexuality, suggesting a significant mediating role of psychotic prodromes and depression in this association. This finding further reinforces the view of hypersexual symptomatology not as a disorder but rather as a psychopathological manifestation of distress, a maladaptive coping strategy that individuals enact due to increased difficulties experienced in the environment. The role of impulsivity as a predictor has shown mixed results, revealing that difficulties in impulse control may play a more marginal role, compared to depressive symptomatology and psychotic prodromes, in determining hypersexuality.

The reverse congruency effect elicited by eye-gaze as a function of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms.

Individuals diagnosed with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have been found to have impairments in multiple aspects of social cognition, thus including the attentional processing of socially relevant stimuli such as eye-gaze. However, to date, it remains unclear whether only the social-specific but not the domain-general directional components, elicited by eye-gaze are affected by ADHD symptomatology. To address this issue, the present study aimed to investigate the impact of ADHD-like traits on the social-specific attentional processing of eye-gaze. To this purpose, we conducted an online experiment with a sample of 140 healthy undergraduate participants who completed two self-reported questionnaires designed to assess ADHD-like traits, and a social variant of an interference spatial task known to effectively isolate the social-specific component of eye-gaze. To make our research plan transparent, our hypotheses, together with the plans of analyses, were registered before data exploration. Results showed that while the social-specific component of eye-gaze was evident in the sample, no significant correlation was found between this component and the measured ADHD-like traits. These results appear to contradict the intuition that the attentional processing of the social-specific components of eye-gaze may be impaired by ADHD symptomatology. However, further research involving children and clinical populations is needed in order to clarify this matter.