Thesis (Ph. D.)--Indiana University, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references.

M.A. (Psychology) / Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), characterised by problems relating to attention, impulsive behaviour and hyperactivity, has become widely accepted to be a neurodevelopmental disorder that persists into adulthood for a large proportion of the ADHD population. ADHD symptoms are reported to undergo developmental transformation from childhood to adulthood, resulting in a significantly different clinical picture of adult ADHD. This signals a need to move away from reliance on childhood models of the disorder. Current conceptions of both childhood and adult ADHD do not discuss the occurrence of hyperfocus (or flow), a symptom which seems to connote an extreme form of sustained attention and which has been noted in clinical work. The possibility that hyperfocus could occur in ADHD is unexpected and poses a challenge to current formulations of inattention in ADHD. Media settings have been identified as providing the conditions needed for one to enter the hyperfocus state. This study set out to explore the possible symptom of hyperfocus in ADHD and to attempt to identify the neural correlates thereof, using electroencephalograph (EEG). A sample of 10 participants (5 ADHD, 5 non-ADHD) was recruited using the Adult ADHD Self Report Scale V-1.1 (ASRS V-1.1) Screener and a biographical questionnaire. A quasi-experimental research design was employed, whereby EEG recordings of frontal, frontal midline and parietal regions were taken for each participant during resting states (Eyes Closed and Eyes Open) and whilst playing a first person shooter game. Post-test survey questionnaires were also administered to examine the participants’ time perception during game play. Between-group and within-group differences in absolute and relative power scores were examined, using non-parametric statistical methods (Mann-Whitney-U test and Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test) to analyse the data. Possible markers for hyperfocus were identified, namely significantly lower alpha and beta levels in the ADHD group, as well as a decrease in slow-wave activity over time, as well as post-test survey data that indicated a greater degree of distorted time perception in the ADHD group during game play. Significant between- and within-group differences found in the parietal region highlight the need for further research into the role of the parietal lobe in attention functions and in ADHD. Further, significant changes in cortical activity in the progression from Eyes Closed to Eyes Open in both groups warrant further investigation.

M.A. (Clinical Psychology) / Although Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) was once thought to occur exclusively in the course of childhood, remitting in adolescence, it is increasingly accepted as a valid diagnosis in adulthood, with DSM-5 providing diagnostic criteria adapted for adults. Symptoms of ADHD in adulthood can lead to impairment in the occupational and tertiary educational environments among others, and additionally can lead to individual differences in ability to perform certain occupational functions, as well as in the occupations to which an individual may be attracted. Adults with ADHD have been shown to differ significantly in personality from non-ADHD adults. The "goodness of fit" between personality and environment underlies much of the predominant understanding of occupational choice. In addition to impairment in the work environment, a lack of fit may exist between adults with ADHD and many features common to organisations. Despite this, along with acknowledgement of the influence of career choice on various factors, including success, emotional welfare and personal productivity, there is a lack of literature dealing specifically with career counselling in ADHD populations. In order to investigate the differences between adults with and without ADHD in a number of areas commonly assessed for career counselling and guidance purposes, an ADHD screening tool, the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) was administered to a sample (n=60) of adults with and without ADHD. Participants were then assigned to ADHD and non-ADHD groups on the basis of ASRS scores in conjunction with diagnostic history, and assessed by means of the Self-directed Search Questionnaire (SDS), and the Basic Traits Inventory (BTI). Tests for between-group differences revealed significant differences on a small number of variables with the ADHD group scoring significantly higher on only the Enterprising type of the SDS. On the BTI, the ADHD group scored significantly higher on Extraversion, and significantly lower on Conscientiousness. The ADHD group also scored significantly higher on the Actions, Ideas, and Imagination facets of the BTI's Openness to Experience factor.

Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common disorder among children and is usually diagnosed during the school years, although symptoms must be present before age 7. As more children enter into preschool programs, there is great opportunity for early identification and treatment of behaviors related to ADHD. The earlier children with symptoms of ADHD are treated, the better their chances of having successful school experiences. Unfortunately, diagnosing ADHD during early childhood is difficult, in part because there is a lack of adequate assessment instruments designed for this age group. The instruments that are available generally do not focus specifically on ADHD symptomology. The ADHD-SRS, a rating scale specifically developed for ADHD assessment, was designed for school-age (K-12) children. The present research study investigated the psychometric properties of the ADHD-SRS with a preschool-aged sample. The participants were 414 preschool children who were rated by their teachers and/or parents using the ADHD-SRS. The results shed some light on normative levels of ADHD behaviors in preschool children. It was found that the ADHD-SRS has good psychometric characteristics (e.g., internal consistency, convergent/divergent validity) for this population. Teacher and parent concordance was moderate (.31), consistent with other research findings. Limitations, clinical implications, and directions for future research are addressed.

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Thesis (M.A.)--York University, 2008. Graduate Programme in Psychology. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 34-39). Also available on the Internet. MODE OF ACCESS via web browser by entering the following URL: http://gateway.proquest.com/openurl?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&res_dat=xri:pqdiss&rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:dissertation&rft_dat=xri:pqdiss:MR45928

Thesis (Psy. D.)--Indiana University of Pennsylvania. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2000. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 71-78). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (Psy. D.)--Wheaton College Graduate School, Wheaton, Ill., 2002. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 48-53).

Despite many studies report a high prevalence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and reading disability (RD) among young delinquents, it is still not clear how the two disorders connect with delinquency. The main aim of this thesis was to understand the origin and progression of juvenile delinquency in groups of Chinese adolescents with ADHD, RD or comorbidity ADHD+RD. Three studies were conducted and reported in this thesis.In Study 1, executive functions(EF) and severity of delinquency were examined. Participants with ADHD only (n=29), RD only (n=24) and comorbidity ADHD+RD (n=35) were recruited from juvenile institutions in Hong Kong. Typically developing controls (n=29) were recruited from local schools. Assessment batteries on EF and self-reported questionnaire on delinquency were administered. Results of Study 1 showed that participants with ADHD were characterized with impairment in inhibition whereas participants with RD were characterized with impaired processing speed and visual memory. Compared to the pure groups, participants in the comorbid condition exhibited unique deficit in interference control. Importantly, the current study showed that the comorbid group had the highest severity of delinquency, and interference control; theunique deficit exhibited in the comorbid group was found to be a significant predictor of the severity of delinquency. In Study 2, psychosocial characteristics of the same juvenile sample of Study 1 were compared with typically developing control. A psychosocial questionnaire covering domains of academic orientation, parental relationships and victimization was administered. Results of Study 2 suggested that participants with RD wereassociated with negative effect across all psychosocial domains whereas participants with ADHD were mainly associated with poor academic orientation. Moreover, the comorbid group did not report having poorer psychosocial outcomes than the pure groups. The current data suggested that academic orientation was a significant factorpredicting onset of delinquency whereas direct victimization and poor father-child relationships marginally predicted severity of delinquency. In Study 3, the role of decision making at risk-taking events was investigated among the four study groups. Participants with ADHD only (n=37), RD only (n=35), comorbidity ADHD+RD (n=35), and control (n=36) were recruited from normal schools with varying levels of delinquency. A risk-taking simulated task, the Balloon Analogue Risk Task (BART) and a teacher-reported questionnaire on delinquency were administered. Results of Study 3 showed that participants with ADHD, despite their great risk-taking propensity, were motivated by the prospect of immediate feedback. In contrast, participants with RD were found to display normal risk-taking propensity, yet were less sensitive to punishment, suggesting a failure to switch between approach and avoidance behaviours for risky situations. Importantly, the comorbid group had the highest teacher-reported delinquency score, and exhibited the greatest risk taking and least sensitivity to punishment which further supported that comorbid condition might have a stronger impact on risk taking or even delinquency than pure groups. The present study increased knowledge about the unique delinquency pathways and important correlates associated with ADHD, RD and their comorbidity. The practical implications for intervention measures and early identification of at-risk adolescents with ADHD, RD and comorbidity were discussed. / published_or_final_version / Psychology / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy