The link between mind-wandering and performance in a sustained attention to response test in adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms

Abstract

Objectives: The symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have been positively documented to be correlated with unintentional mind-wandering (MW) in the literature. In this study, we intended to explore the link between the types of MW and the attention laboratory performance in adults with ADHD symptoms. Methods: We recruited 24 adult patients with ADHD and 30 controls: (a) to receive a semi-structured psychiatric interview for ADHD and other diagnoses, (b) to complete questionnaires about adult ADHD symptoms and other psychiatric symptoms, (c) to receive intelligence assessment, (d) to have thought probes during a Sustained Attention to Response Task (SART), and (e) to be assessed with the MW: Spontaneous Scale (WM-S). Results: Adult patients with ADHD symptoms showed a more impulsive SART response style (increased commission errors and fast response speed) and unintentional MW. Increased unintentional MW was associated with reduced task performance. A positive association existed between MW-S scores and unintentional MW during the SART. Conclusion: Spontaneous MW may be significant impairment in adults with ADHD. Different measurements of MW had the associated and consistent findings measured by cognitive laboratory task with thought probe or WM-S measurement.

Keywords

• adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
• commission errors
• task performance
• thought probes