Preliminary examination of ADHD inattentive and cognitive disengagement syndrome symptoms in relation to probe-caught mind-wandering during a sustained attention to response task

Abstract

Objective: The role of mind-wandering- periods of internally-directed distractibility - among patients with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has recently garnered attention, though few studies have assessed mind-wandering using thought probes during a sustained attention to response task (SART) or examined the possible role of cognitive disengagement syndrome (CDS) symptoms. We examined whether parent- and/or teacher-reported ADHD-inattentive (ADHD-IN) or CDS symptoms were independently associated with probe-caught mind-wandering.

Methods: Fifty-four children (ages 9-12; 35.2% female) completed a SART with thought probes inquiring about various on- and off-task thoughts, including mind-wandering and distraction. Questionnaires provided information on demographics, medication treatment, and parent- and teacher-reported ADHD-IN and CDS symptoms. Regression models were estimated separately by informant to examine whether ADHD-IN or CDS symptoms were uniquely associated with mind-wandering or distraction frequency during the SART.

Results: Higher teacher-reported CDS ratings, but not ADHD-IN ratings, were uniquely associated with more probe-caught mind-wandering. No significant findings related to parent-reported symptoms or probe-caught distraction were observed.

Conclusions: These preliminary findings add to an emerging body of work pointing to CDS as more consistently or strongly associated than ADHD-IN with mind-wandering. Theoretical and clinical implications are discussed.

Keywords: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder; Cognitive disengagement syndrome; Inattention; Mind wandering; Sluggish cognitive tempo.