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The relationship between mind-wandering, meta-awareness, and ADHD symptomatology Franklin, M. S.; Mrazek, M. M.; Anderson, C. L.; Johnston, Charlotte; Smallwood, J.; Kingstone, A.; Schooler, J. W.

Abstract

Although earlier work has shown a link between mind-wandering and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms, this relationship has not been further investigated by taking into account recent advances in mind-wandering research. The present study provides a comprehensive assessment of the relationship between mind-wandering and ADHD symptomatology in an adult community sample (N=105, 71 female, mean age=23.1) using laboratory measures and experience sampling during daily-life. Mind-wandering and detrimental mind-wandering were positively associated with ADHD symptoms. Meta-awareness of mind-wandering mediated the relationship between ADHD symptomatology and detrimental mind-wandering, suggesting that some of the negative consequences can be ameliorated by strategies that facilitate meta-awareness. Interestingly, participants with low ADHD scores showed a positive relationship between detrimental mind-wandering and useful mind-wandering; however, participants with high ADHD scores failed to engage in this type of 'strategic' mind-wandering. These results provide new insights into the relationship between ADHD symptomatology and mind-wandering that could have important clinical implications.

Item Metadata

Title
The relationship between mind-wandering, meta-awareness, and ADHD symptomatology
Alternate Title
Tracking distraction: the relationship between mind-wandering, meta-awareness, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptomatology; Mind-wandering and ADHD
Creator
Franklin, M. S.; Mrazek, M. M.; Anderson, C. L.; Johnston, Charlotte; Smallwood, J.; Kingstone, A.; Schooler, J. W.
Date Issued
2014-08-01
Description
Although earlier work has shown a link between mind-wandering and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms, this relationship has not been further investigated by taking into account recent advances in mind-wandering research. The present study provides a comprehensive assessment of the relationship between mind-wandering and ADHD symptomatology in an adult community sample (N=105, 71 female, mean age=23.1) using laboratory measures and experience sampling during daily-life. Mind-wandering and detrimental mind-wandering were positively associated with ADHD symptoms. Meta-awareness of mind-wandering mediated the relationship between ADHD symptomatology and detrimental mind-wandering, suggesting that some of the negative consequences can be ameliorated by strategies that facilitate meta-awareness. Interestingly, participants with low ADHD scores showed a positive relationship between detrimental mind-wandering and useful mind-wandering; however, participants with high ADHD scores failed to engage in this type of 'strategic' mind-wandering. These results provide new insights into the relationship between ADHD symptomatology and mind-wandering that could have important clinical implications.
Subject
ADHD; mind-wandering; control processes
Genre
Postprint; Article
Type
Text
Language
eng
Date Available
2016-02-02
Provider
Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library
Rights
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.5 Canada
DOI
10.14288/1.0223656
URI
http://hdl.handle.net/2429/56674
Affiliation
Arts, Faculty of; Psychology, Department of; Non UBC
Citation
Franklin, M. S., Mrazek, M. D., Anderson, C. L., Johnston, C., Smallwood, J., Kingstone, A., & Schooler, J. W. (2014). Tracking distraction: The relationship between mind-wandering, meta-awareness, and ADHD symptomatology. Journal of Attention Disorders,
Publisher DOI
10.1177/1087054714543494
Peer Review Status
Reviewed
Scholarly Level
Faculty
Copyright Holder
2014 SAGE Publications
Rights URI
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.5/ca/
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Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.5 Canada