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Does Mind-Wandering Explain ADHD-Related Impairment in Adolescents?

  • Tycho J. Dekkers*
  • , Ajda Flisar
  • , Adrian Karami Motaghi
  • , Alexandra Karl
  • , Matilda A. Frick
  • , Bianca E. Boyer
  • *Corresponding author for this work
  • University of Amsterdam
  • University of Groningen
  • Accare Child Study Center
  • Levvel
  • Amsterdam UMC - University of Amsterdam
  • Stockholm University
  • Uppsala University
  • Psychologenpraktijk Kuin
  • Leiden University
  • Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam
  • University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen
  • Levvel, Center for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Meibergdreef 5, 1105, AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
  • Amsterdam UMC - University of Amsterdam

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

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Abstract

Currently, diagnostic criteria for ADHD mainly reflect behavioral symptoms, neglecting internal phenomena like mind-wandering. Recent studies found that mind-wandering explains impairment beyond ADHD symptoms in adults. To better capture ADHD-related impairment in adolescents, we aimed to elucidate whether mind-wandering is associated with impairments that are prevalent in adolescents (i.e., risk-taking behavior, homework problems, emotional dysregulation, and general impairment) beyond ADHD symptoms. Furthermore, we sought to validate the Dutch translation of the Mind Excessively Wandering Scale (MEWS). We assessed a community sample of 626 adolescents on ADHD symptoms, mind-wandering, and the impairment domains. The Dutch MEWS had good psychometric properties. Mind-wandering was linked to general impairment and emotional dysregulation beyond ADHD symptoms, but was not linked to risk-taking behavior and homework problems beyond ADHD symptoms. Internal psychological phenomena such as mind-wandering may add to the behavioral symptoms of ADHD in explaining part of the impairment that adolescents with ADHD characteristics experience.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)346-357
Number of pages12
JournalChild psychiatry and human development
Volume56
Issue number2
Early online date2023
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Apr 2025
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Adolescence
  • Attention-deficit
  • Hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
  • Impairment
  • Mind-wandering

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