Poster Session 10 Program Schedule
02/17/2024
09:00 am - 10:15 am
Room: Shubert Complex (Posters 1-60)
Poster Session 10: Neurodevelopmental | Congenital Conditions
Final Abstract #3
How does Mind Wandering Impact Affective Well-Being? A Study on Adults with Varying Features of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Yudhajit Ain, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
Simrit Rai, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
Avery Krupa, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
Jonas Buerkner, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
Brandy Callahan, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
Julia Kam, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
Category: ADHD/Attentional Functions
Keyword 1: attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Keyword 2: quality of life
Keyword 3: self-report
Objective:
As you read a manuscript, you may find yourself brainstorming ideas for the next vacation. This experience of your mind wandering away from the task-at-hand to your own thoughts is a universal phenomenon and can occur intentionally or unintentionally. Considered to be a result of lapses in attentional control, unintentional mind wandering has been linked to negative mood. This relationship between attentional control and affective disturbances is poorly understood outside neurotypical young adults. Given the attentional control difficulties associated with individuals with features of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), this cohort may be more susceptible to mind wandering and its associated affective disturbances. Our study therefore aims to address the association between mind wandering with and without intention and affective outcomes in individuals with varying features of ADHD.
Participants and Methods:
A total of 106 adults (n = 79 female) between 19 and 79 years of age (M = 38.31, SD = 13.74) completed the study. Each participant received ecological momentary assessments (EMA) via text messages at six random times every day for seven days. At each EMA survey, participants were asked to report their attention and affective states in the moment: 1) they categorize their attention state as on-task, mind wandering with intention, or mind wandering without intention, and 2) they report their affective state on a 7-point Likert scale ranging from negative to positive. The EMA approach offers a glimpse into their ongoing experience in a real-world setting, thereby circumventing the reliance on recall after the fact. In addition to EMA, participants were asked to complete several questionnaires that capture their demographics and ADHD symptoms (via the Conners' Adult ADHD Rating Scales). Our analyses focused on the inattention and hyperactivity subscales.
Results:
We found a significant interaction between attention state and ADHD inattention subscale scores in predicting affective states, such that individuals with higher levels of inattention reported more negative affect compared to individuals with lower levels of inattention during intentional mind wandering, but not on-task states. Moreover, this pattern was not observed for unintentional mind wandering. The interaction between attention state and ADHD hyperactivity subscale scores did not predict affective states for either intentional or unintentional mind wandering.
Conclusions:
Taken together, these results suggest that the relationship between ADHD symptoms and affective states differ as a function of attentional states, characterized by differing levels of attentional control. Our findings highlight potential targets for behavioral interventions specific to these vulnerable populations, to enhance attentional control and thereby improve affective well-being.
| 
