Functional impairments in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: the mediating role of neuropsychological functioning

Dev Neuropsychol. 2014;39(3):187-204. doi: 10.1080/87565641.2014.886691.

Abstract

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is associated with multiple neuropsychological deficits and the present study aimed to investigate to what extent these deficits are related to the functional impairments associated with the disorder. The results showed that all executive functioning deficits and reaction time variability acted as mediators in the relation between ADHD and academic achievement. However, only the effect of working memory for language skills, and the effects of reaction time variability and working memory for mathematics, remained significant when studying independent effects. Regulation of anger was a significant mediator for peer problems. Gender or symptoms of oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) or conduct disorder (CD) did not moderate these findings.

MeSH terms

  • Achievement
  • Adolescent
  • Affect
  • Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / complications
  • Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / diagnosis
  • Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / psychology*
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Child
  • Executive Function*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Inhibition, Psychological
  • Interpersonal Relations
  • Male
  • Memory, Short-Term*
  • Neuropsychological Tests / statistics & numerical data*
  • Peer Group
  • Reaction Time
  • Sex Factors
  • Surveys and Questionnaires