Working memory and symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children

<p>Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a disorder mainly characterized by high levels of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness. Although ADHD is a topic of great interest in multiple domains, much remains to be explored before a thorough understanding will be possible. Recently, working memory (WM) has gained attention as a potential core deficit of ADHD. Therefore, theories of ADHD and WM may provide guidance for increased understanding of ADHD, and continued research on ADHD, guided by WM theory, will maximize the effectiveness of assessment and treatment for this disorder. The current study utilized a model integrating WM measurement and symptoms of ADHD. To investigate the relationship between continuous measurement of ADHD symptoms and WM functioning, experimental paradigms and clinical assessment of WM capacity were utilized. Results indicated computerized change-detection tasks are not effectively eliciting WM in children, as capacity was significantly lower than that of adults. A trend for developmental increase in WM was found. The WISC-IV Arithmetic subtest was the subtest most consistently related to other clinical and experimental WM measures. The Arithmetic and Digit Span Backward subtests were most consistently related to ADHD inattentive symptoms though significant variance was still unaccounted for, and no WM measure was consistently related to ADHD hyperactive/impulsive symptoms. Overall, continuous measurement of ADHD inattentive symptoms best characterized relationships between ADHD and WM functioning, and WM did not have utility in categorical classification of ADHD. Results highlight the need for advancement in WM measurement, as well as the utility of continuous characterization of disorders</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Level thesis:degree_level

Open Access Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Psychology

Year dc:date.available

2015

Author dc:creator

• Colbert, Alison Margaret

Contributors dc:contributor

• Jin Bo, Ph.D., Chair
• Renee Lajiness-O'Neill, Ph.D.
• Karen Saules, Ph.D.

• ADHD
• Assessment
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
• Children
• Endophenotype
• Working Memory
• Clinical Psychology

Repository record dc:identifier

https://commons.emich.edu/theses/730

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:commons.emich.edu:theses-2095