ADHD Symptoms Research Articles

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and subsequent diagnoses of major psychiatric disorders: a nationwide population-based study.

We evaluated the risk of being diagnosed with various psychiatric disorders after an attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) diagnosis using data from South Korea's National Health Insurance Service from 2002 to 2019, which covers approximately 97% of the country's population. ADHD and control groups were selected after propensity score matching was performed for individuals diagnosed with ADHD and their age- and sex-matched counterparts from the general population. Comorbid psychiatric disorders included depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, tic disorder, and schizophrenia. The incidence of newly diagnosed psychiatric disorders was compared between the groups. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated and adjusted for ADHD medication prescription. After matching, 353,898 individuals were assigned to each of the two groups. Compared to the control group, the ADHD group showed a significantly higher risk of being subsequently diagnosed with depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and tic disorder. The onset age of depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia in the ADHD group was 16-17 years, approximately 5 years earlier than that in the control group. The risk for depression was the highest in individuals with high income levels, and that for schizophrenia was the highest among rural patients. The median length of the follow-up time until the diagnosis of each comorbid psychiatric disorder was 7.53, 8.43, 8.53, and 8.34 years for depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and tic disorder, respectively. Individuals with ADHD had an overall higher risk of being diagnosed with subsequent psychiatric disorders than did the controls. Hence, they should be carefully screened for other psychiatric symptoms from an early age and followed up for an extended duration, along with appropriate interventions for ADHD symptoms, including psychosocial treatments and educational approaches.

A quantitative analysis of fidgeting in ADHD and its relation to performance and sustained attention on a cognitive task.

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder where hyperactivity often manifests as fidgeting, a non-goal-directed motoric action. Many studies demonstrate fidgeting varies under different conditions as a self-regulating mechanism for attention and alertness during cognitively demanding tasks. Fidgeting has also been associated with reaction time variability. However, a lack of standard variables to define and quantify fidgeting can lead to discrepancies in data and interpretability issues across studies. Furthermore, little is known about fidgeting in adults with ADHD compared to youth. This study aims to design a framework to quantify meaningful fidgeting variables and to apply them to test the relation between fidgeting and performance on a cognitive task, the Flanker, in adults with ADHD. Our study included 70 adult participants diagnosed with ADHD, aged 18-50 years (30.5 ± 7.2 years). Screening included a structured clinical interview, childhood, current self and current observer ratings of ADHD symptoms. Actigraphy devices were attached to the left wrist and right ankle during completion of a cognitive control, attention task (the Flanker). Laboratory testing was subsequently completed on a single day. The relation between task performance, reaction time variability and fidgeting was examined. Our analysis revealed increased fidgeting during correct trials as defined by our new variables, consistent with previous observations. Furthermore, differences in fidgeting were observed between early and later trials while the percentage of correct trials were not significantly different. This suggests a relation between the role of fidgeting and sustaining attention. Participants with low reaction time variability, that is, those with more consistent reaction times, fidgeted more during later trials. This observation supports the theory that fidgeting aids arousal and improves sustained attention. Finally, a correlation analysis using ADHD-symptom rating scales validated the relevance of the fidget variables in relation to ADHD symptom severity. These findings suggest fidgeting may be a compensatory mechanism that aids in sustained attention for those with ADHD, although alternative explanations exist. Our study suggests that fidgeting may aid in sustained attention during the attention-demanding, cognitive control processes for adults with ADHD, with more fidgeting observed during correct trials and among participants with lower reaction time variability. Furthermore, the newly defined fidget variables were validated through a significant correlation with ADHD rating scales. By sharing our implementation of fidget variables, we hope to standardize and encourage further quantitative research into the role of fidgeting in ADHD.

Gender-specific motivational pathways in ADHD-related inattention and gaming disorder symptoms

Comorbidity between attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and gaming disorder (GD) is widely recognized in the literature. Previous research has indicated gender-dependent underlying mechanisms in the development and maintenance of problematic gaming. Motivational research presents an opportunity to provide further insight regarding the nature of this association. Self-report data were collected from videogame players (N = 14,740) using an online survey in collaboration with a popular gaming magazine. The survey included items concerning symptoms of ADHD and GD, motives for gaming, and time spent playing videogames. Structural equation modeling was used to create two parallel mediation models (one for males, one for females), including motives to play games as mediators. This was done to potentially explain psychological drivers of the association between ADHD and GD. Results demonstrated a common pathway from inattention to GD symptom severity through the immersion/escapism motivation for both males (β = 0.068; p < 0.001) and females (β = 0.081; p < 0.05), while the path from inattention to GD symptom severity through the habit/boredom motive (β = 0.094; p < 0.001) and competition motive (β = 0.021; p < 0.001) was only significant for males. Gamers experiencing symptoms of ADHD, especially inattentive symptoms, are at risk of the occurrence of GD symptoms through videogames becoming a source of maladaptive coping with daily psychological disturbances. Males experiencing inattentive symptoms tend to additionally develop problematic patterns of use through videogame playing, becoming a subjectively meaningless and boredom-reduction-oriented habitual activity or a platform of virtual competition. Unique differences suggest the necessity of different treatment approaches for males and females.

Rhinorrhea and watery eyes in infancy and risk of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in school-age children.

Increased parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) activity is associated with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) inattentive symptoms, but not hyperactive-impulsive symptoms, and may contribute to inattentive subtype etiology. Guided by prior work linking infant rhinorrhea and watery eyes without a cold (RWWC) to PNS dysregulation, we examined associations between infant RWWC and childhood ADHD symptoms in a longitudinal cohort of Black and Latinx children living in the context of economic disadvantage (N=301 youth: 158 females, 143 males). Infant RWWC predicted higher inattentive (relative risk [RR] 2.16, p<.001) but not hyperactive-impulsive (RR 1.53, p=.065) ADHD symptoms (DuPaul scale), administered to caregivers at child age 8-14 years. Stratified analyses revealed that these associations were present in females but not males, who were three times more likely to have higher ADHD current total symptoms if they had infant RWWC than if they did not. Additionally, associations between RWWC and inattention symptoms were observed only in females. RWWC may thus serve as a novel risk marker of ADHD inattentive-type symptoms, especially for females.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults: a multilayered approach to a serious disorder of inattention to the future.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) affects people of all ages, yet its presentation varies as the person matures and social demands increase from childhood into adulthood. Interestingly, when analyzing the disorder in adults, it is not immediately clear what the 'attention deficit' in the ADHD denomination exactly means. Adults with ADHD have a broad range of difficulties, far beyond an attentional deficit, that impact negatively their social functioning and often lead to failures in all walks of life. Therefore, in this review, I attempt to reconcile the notion of attention deficit with the protean manifestations of ADHD in adults through a proposal that ADHD symptoms have as a common denominator an inattention to the future. I build this construct through a multilayered approach, progressing from the epidemiological and clinical considerations for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) diagnosis, to a deeper understanding of the disorder, discussing how these patients fail to anchor the present into the future (i.e., to be attentive to future consequences), thus failing to approximate future goals from present action. Integrating cognitive observations with imaging abnormalities, it is possible to propose that ADHD in adults is perhaps the most prevalent frontal lobe disorder in humans, ultimately impacting upon psychosocial management and treatment strategies.

INTEGRATE-ADHD: Comparison and Integration of Administrative and Epidemiological ADHD Diagnosis Data through Clinical Assessment - Presentation of the Project

As one of the most frequently diagnosed mental disorders in children and adolescents with sometimes serious individual, family and social consequences, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is highly relevant to society and health policy. In Germany, data from statutory health insurance companies has reported increasing ADHD diagnosis prevalence rates over years, while epidemiological data has shown constant and recently even decreasing prevalence rates. The clinical validity of diagnoses from either data sources is unknown. In the framework of the consortium project INTEGRATE-ADHD, 5461 parents of children aged 0 to 17 years with a confirmed administrative ADHD diagnosis insured with the third-largest German statutory health insurance provider (DAK-Gesundheit) in at least one quarter of 2020 were surveyed with the questionnaires from the epidemiological German Health Interview and Examination Survey (KiGGS study) and its in-depth module on child mental health (BELLA study) on their child's ADHD diagnosis and symptoms and on other topics, including comorbidity, utilisation of healthcare services, quality of care and satisfaction, psychosocial risk and protective factors and health-related quality of life. In addition, a subsample of 202 children and adolescents with a clinical diagnosis based on the AMWF S3 guideline on ADHD was analysed. An important aim of the project is to use data linkage on person-level to identify possible causes for the often divergent prevalence estimates from epidemiological and administrative data and to integrate and validate the data sources using a guideline-based clinical diagnosis, thereby contributing to a more accurate population-based prevalence estimate of ADHD in children and adolescents and clarifying actual or supposed contradictions between the data sources. The INTEGRATE-ADHD data linkage project combines administrative, epidemiological and clinical ADHD diagnosis data to create a "three-dimensional view" of the ADHD diagnosis. The results will be used to identify fields of action for healthcare policy and self-administration in the German healthcare system and to derive recommendations for the actors and stakeholders in the field of ADHD. The first results will be published in 2024.

A Systematic Review of Yoga as a Supportive Treatment for Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has been one of the leading causes of neuropsychiatric disorders among children, which is why it is extremely essential to have a clear understanding of the disease and the new and upcoming treatment options available. Yoga has been one of the most recently explored and newer techniques that have been employed in the treatment of this disorder. It has become extremely crucial to understand the importance of using supportive treatments in the management of ADHD owing to the innumerable side effects caused by stimulant medication and the growing demands of parental concern about starting their children on stimulant medication at a very young age. Through this review, we would like to shed light on how yoga helps improve the lives of children with ADHD and how it can be used as a supplementary therapy for children with ADHD. After thoroughly screening various articles on this topic, we selected a total of seven articles for this study to highlight the effect that yoga has had on the improvement of ADHD symptoms. Furthermore, we also highlight the impact of such interventions in a family-based environment and how they help improve the immediate environment of a child with this disorder, thereby facilitating the development of a conducive environment for growth. We also highlight how these interventions help control various miscellaneous symptoms among children, such as stress, depression, and anxiety, as these concomitant symptoms are often associated with ADHD. This review article helps explore how yoga has proved to be a very holistic approach to the management of children with ADHD.

Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Symptoms in Adults Diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis: Prevalence and Correlates.

Background: The relationship between adult ADHD symptoms in People with Multiple Sclerosis (PwMS) is understudied. This study aimed to answer two questions: are PwMS more likely to experience higher ADHD symptoms versus healthy subjects? And what are the correlates of severe ADHD symptoms in PwMS? Methods: This study followed a cross-sectional design with predefined inclusion criteria. The Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale-V1.1 (ASRS) was used to assess the ADHD symptoms severity. Results: Data were analyzed from 171 PwMS and 200 controls. Regression analysis revealed that PwMS were at a significantly (B = 3.05, t = 2.24, 95% CI = 0.37-5.73, p = 0.02) higher risk to report higher ADHD scores versus controls. In addition, PwMS with relapses in the last 6 months and PwMS reporting smartphone addiction were at a significantly higher risk for severe ADHD (B = 7.19, t = 269, 95% CI = 1.91-12.48, p = 0.008) and (B = 9.18, t = 3.47, 95% CI = 3.97-14.41, p = 0.001), respectively. In conclusion, diagnosis with MS in our study was identified as a risk for higher ADHD symptoms. Conclusions: Further research is required to establish this relationship, and holistic medical and psychological interventions are required to improve the cognitive status of PwMS.

Prevalence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in school-going children in rural Konkan region of Maharashtra.

Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder of childhood characterised by attention deficit, hyperactivity and impulsiveness. The present study was designed to compute the prevalence of ADHD and assess the association of the predetermined demographic variables and ADHD in school-going children aged 6-12 years in rural areas of Konkan. The present study was a descriptive, cross-sectional study. Using the first edition of Vanderbilt's scale - D4 (Teacher's informant) by National Institute for Children's Health Quality (NICHQ) for identifying symptoms of ADHD in children, a questionnaire was filled out for each child with input from their class teacher. These data were then compiled and analysed. Out of the 133 participants in the study aged 6-12 years, the gender distribution was 69 boys and 64 girls. The mean age was 9.2 ± 2.3 years. Of which, one student (0.75%) was found to have a predominantly inattentive subtype of ADHD (ADHD-IA). The prevalence was found to be 1.5% (2/133). In addition, one student (0.75%) was found to have a combined ADHD-IA and hyperactive (ADHD-H/I) subtype of ADHD (ADHD-C). The latter was also positive for the anxiety/depression screening scale administered as part of the same questionnaire. The total symptom score for questions 1-18 was 8.44 ± 7.29. One of the most common neurodivergent conditions among school-age children is ADHD. Using an easy-to-use questionnaire, teachers and parents can report those experiencing symptoms of ADHD. Early diagnosis and treatment are recommended to avoid complications and aid in the improvement of quality of life.

Green spaces and respiratory, cardiometabolic, and neurodevelopmental outcomes: An individual-participant data meta-analysis of >35.000 European children

Studies evaluating the benefits and risks of green spaces on children’s health are scarce. The present study aimed to examine the associations between exposure to green spaces during pregnancy and early childhood with respiratory, cardiometabolic, and neurodevelopmental outcomes in school-age children. We performed an Individual-Participant Data (IPD) meta-analysis involving 35,000 children from ten European birth cohorts across eight countries. For each participant, we calculated residential Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) within a 300 m buffer and the linear distance to green spaces (meters) during prenatal life and childhood. Multiple harmonized health outcomes were selected: asthma and wheezing, lung function, body mass index, diastolic and systolic blood pressure, non-verbal intelligence, internalizing and externalizing problems, and ADHD symptoms. We conducted a two-stage IPD meta-analysis and evaluated effect modification by socioeconomic status (SES) and sex. Between-study heterogeneity was assessed via random-effects meta-regression. Residential surrounding green spaces in childhood, not pregnancy, was associated with improved lung function, particularly higher FEV1 (β = 0.06; 95 %CI: 0.03, 0.09 I2 = 4.03 %, p < 0.001) and FVC (β = 0.07; 95 %CI: 0.04, 0.09 I2 = 0 %, p < 0.001) with a stronger association observed in females (p < 0.001). This association remained robust after multiple testing correction and did not change notably after adjusting for ambient air pollution. Increased distance to green spaces showed an association with lower FVC (β = −0.04; 95 %CI: −0.07, −0.02, I2 = 4.8, p = 0.001), with a stronger effect in children from higher SES backgrounds (p < 0.001). No consistent associations were found between green spaces and asthma, wheezing, cardiometabolic, or neurodevelopmental outcomes, with direction of effect varying across cohorts. Wheezing and neurodevelopmental outcomes showed high between-study heterogeneity, and the age at outcome assessment was only associated with heterogeneity in internalizing problems.. This large European meta-analysis suggests that childhood exposure to green spaces may lead to better lung function. Associations with other respiratory outcomes and selected cardiometabolic and neurodevelopmental outcomes remain inconclusive.

Increased Semantic Memorization in Children with ADHD during a Paradigm of Motor Priming: Exploratory Findings.

The aim was to evaluate the effect of body actions on learning process, particularly semantic memory capabilities in drug-naïve children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Thirty children had to listen to a story which was repeated three times in a row and then a fourth time five minutes later. After each listen, the child was asked what she/he remembered from the story. The whole sample was split randomly into three subgroups of equal IQ (mean 102.2 ± 12.7), age (mean age 8 ± 0.6 years), sex (ratio female to male 1:5) and severity of ADHD symptoms (34.2 ± 7.4); a G1 "Freeze" subgroup, which implied listening to the story while sitting on a chair without moving; a G2 "Minimal" subgroup, which implied listening to the story while sitting on a chair but free movement was allowed; a G3 "Prescribed movement" subgroup, which implied listening to the story standing up, while copying the experimenter movements that mimicked the actions told in the story. Although our sample was limited in size, interestingly, children in the G3 subgroup showed the highest short-term semantic memory retention compared to G1. In all subgroups, repetition allowed an increase in performance. Our exploratory findings stress the positive role of movement in children with ADHD to increase semantic memorization. Hyperactivity may counteract the deficit of memorization related to attention impairment in children with ADHD. Our results may encourage parents or teachers to allow children with ADHD to move around during short-term memory-retention tasks.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in cultural context II: a comparison of the links between ADHD symptoms and waiting-related responses in Hong Kong and UK.

The concept of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is considered to have cross-cultural validity, but direct comparisons of its psychological characteristics across cultures are limited. This study investigates whether preschool children's ADHD symptoms expressed in two cultures with different views about child behaviour and parenting, Hong Kong and the UK, show the same pattern of associations with their waiting-related abilities and reactions, an important marker of early self-regulation. A community sample of 112 preschoolers (mean age = 46.22 months; 55 from UK, 57 from HK) completed three tasks measuring different waiting elements - waiting for rewards, choosing the amount of time to wait, and having to wait unexpectedly when a task is interrupted. Participants' waiting-related behavioural and emotional reactions were coded. Parents rated their children's ADHD symptoms and delay aversion. Our findings revealed that the associations between ADHD symptoms and waiting-related responses were comparable in both UK and HK samples. This suggests that the core psychological characteristics of ADHD, particularly in relation to waiting behaviours, may exhibit similarity across cultural contexts. Future research can extend this cross-cultural analysis to other ADHD-related psychological domains and explore additional cultural settings.

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.

Prevalence and clinical phenotypes of adult patients with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and comorbid behavioral addictions.

Although the correlation between substance use disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has been largely studied, less is known about the correlation between behavioral addictions and ADHD. Thus, the aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of behavioral addictions in a large sample of adult patients with a primary diagnosis of ADHD and to compare the clinical profile of ADHD patients with and without behavioral addictions comorbidity. 248 consecutive adults newly diagnosed as ADHD patients were assessed through a series of validated scales for gambling disorder, internet, sex, shopping and food addictions. ADHD patients with at least one comorbid behavioral addiction were compared to non-comorbid patients on ADHD symptoms, impulsivity, mood and anxiety symptoms and functional impairment. 58.9% of patients had at least one behavioral addiction comorbidity. Of the whole sample, 31.9% of the patients had a comorbidity with one behavioral addiction while the 27% showed a comorbidity with two or more behavioral addictions. Internet addiction was the most common comorbidity (33.9%) followed by food addiction (28.6%), shopping addiction (19%), sex addiction (12.9%) and gambling disorder (3.6%). ADHD patients with comorbid behavioral addictions showed higher ADHD current and childhood symptoms, higher cognitive and motor impulsivity, higher mood and anxiety symptoms and higher functional impairment. Behavioral addictions are highly frequent in adult ADHD patients. Comorbid patients seem to have a more complex phenotype characterized by more severe ADHD, mood and anxiety symptoms, higher impulsivity levels and greater functional impairment.

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.

Growing evidence of pharmacotherapy effectiveness in managing attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in young children with or without autism spectrum disorder: a minireview.

Many children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) also have attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). ADHD in children is associated with increased risk of negative outcomes, and early intervention is critical. Current guidelines recommend psychosocial interventions such as behavioral training as the first line of therapy in managing ADHD symptoms in children with or without ASD. Where symptoms are refractory to these interventions, medications such as stimulants, α2-adrenergic agonist inhibitors, selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, and second-generation antipsychotics are recommended. However, these pharmacotherapies do not have regulatory approval for use in children of preschool age, and evidence on their safety and efficacy in this population has historically been very limited. Since publication of the current guidelines in 2020, several new randomized controlled trials and real-world studies have been published that have investigated the efficacy and tolerability of these medications in preschool children with ADHD, with or without comorbid ASD. Here, we provide a review of the key findings of these studies, which suggest that there is growing evidence to support the use of pharmacological interventions in the management of ADHD in preschool children with comorbid ASD.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity symptoms and loss of control eating in emerging adults: Role of psychological resilience

ObjectiveThis study aimed to fill a gap in the literature regarding the role of resilience in the relationship between symptoms of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and loss of control (LOC) eating in a nonclinical sample of emerging adults. Resilience was examined as a potential moderator and as a potential mediator of ADHD symptoms and engagement in LOC eating behaviors. Improved understanding of this relationship may inform clinical intervention and risk screening methodologies for disordered eating behaviors in college students. MethodsParticipants were undergraduate students (N = 386) from a private university in the northeastern United States. Linear regression analysis examined whether greater ADHD symptoms related to greater LOC eating. Pathway analyses examined resilience as either a moderator or mediator of the relationship between ADHD symptoms and LOC eating. ResultsA direct positive relationship was found between ADHD symptoms and LOC eating (p < .05). Resilience partially mediated this relationship, such that increased ADHD symptoms indirectly related to increased LOC eating through low resilience (p < .05). ConclusionFindings indicate that undergraduate students with greater ADHD symptoms engaged in more frequent LOC eating, and that low resilience was a partial mediator of this positive relationship.

A Comparison of Effectiveness of Attention Process Training (APT) with Parenting Management Training (PMT) in Reducing Symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

Objective: Child-oriented psychotherapies, such as Attention Process Training (APT), target ADHD symptoms directly, whereas family-oriented interventions, like Parent Management Training (PMT), address its functional impairments. The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of APT and PMT in treating ADHD symptoms. Method : This research was a randomized controlled trial in which 45 children (26 females and 19 males, with a mean age of 8.47 ± 1.66 years) with ADHD were selected conveniently and assigned randomly to one of three groups (PMT = 15, APT = 15, and CTRL = 15). The groups had no significant differences in ADHD severity. The PMT children were managed with parenting techniques. Children in the APT group practiced attention techniques, while children in the control group did not receive any intervention. Ritalin was prescribed to all the children in the three groups. The score on the Conners Parenting Rating Scale-Revised: Short form was the outcome variable. Results: Both interventions decreased ADHD symptoms severity more than the control group. Howver, the reduction in the APT group was more than in the PMT group (P-value < 0.001). The scores of 40% of the APT group and 80% of the PMT group did not fall below the cut-off point. In the APT group after the intervention, the inattention subscale was significantly lower than the hyperactivity subscale, while in the PMT group, the hyperactivity subscale was lower. The effect sizes of APT and PMT were 2.18 and 2.09, respectively. Conclusion: For ADHD, psychological interventions are crucial in addition to medication. According to the results of this study, APT is more effective for inattention symptoms, while PMT is more effective for hyperactivity symptoms. When selecting psychotherapy, the subtype of ADHD should be taken into account. Treatment sessions must also be completed according to intervention protocols.

Gross Motor Skills Are Associated with Symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in School-Aged Children.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is among the most prevalent disorders in children and is frequently linked with motor difficulties that can impact both daily motor tasks and overall developmental trajectories. The objective of this study was to analyse the association between gross motor skills and ADHD symptoms. Using a cross-sectional research design, data were collected from a sample of primary school children (N = 2677; mean age = 8.58 years, SD = 1.49 years). The Gross Motor Development-3 Test (TGMD-3) was employed to assess participants' gross motor skills, whereas the ADHD Rating Scale (SDAI), completed by teachers, evaluated ADHD symptoms through two subscales: inattention and impulsivity/hyperactivity. The results revealed an association between motor development and ADHD symptoms, with greater proficiency in gross motor skills correlating with lower symptoms reported on the SDAI. Logistic regression analyses indicated that the TGMD-3 was significantly associated with the risk of ADHD in matched samples of at-risk children and controls. The evaluation of gross motor development proves to be a useful tool for monitoring global development, paying attention to any critical issues, particularly in relation to the variables of inattention and hyperactivity.

Towards an Objective Measurement Tool for ADHD-like Traits in Family Dogs: A Comprehensive Test Battery.

Family dogs exhibit neuropsychological deficits similar to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms in humans. Questionnaire methods have mostly been used to assess ADHD-like behaviours in dogs. In addition to our validated questionnaire (Dog ADHD and Functionality Rating Scale-DAFRS; 2024), we developed a simple behavioural test battery covering the ADHD symptom domains (i.e., inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity) in dogs. Our main aim was (i) to provide a final external validation step to the DAFRS by examining its associations with the test variables (N = 59); and (ii) to compare owner- and trainer-rated factor scores' associations with the test variables (n = 38). We developed four tests covering the ADHD symptom domains: the attention test (inattention), the plush dog test (impulsivity), the leash test, and the sit test (hyperactivity). All four behavioural variables correlated with their respective questionnaire scores, i.e., the strongest for hyperactivity, and the least strong for inattention. Both owner- and trainer-rated scores (n = 38) correlated with the relevant test variables in an expected direction. Dogs' training status was linked only to the sit test results. Test-retest analyses (n = 34) indicated moderate-to-excellent agreement across all behavioural variables. Our findings support the validity of our novel human-analogue questionnaire for dogs as the behavioural tests strongly correlate with the relevant questionnaire scores, indicating that the two constructs together can effectively assess inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity in dogs.