The Concept of Effort-Allocation in Students with Self-Reported ADHD Symptomatology

Promok, Lena (2022) The Concept of Effort-Allocation in Students with Self-Reported ADHD Symptomatology. Master thesis, Psychology.

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Abstract

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a highly prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder impairing daily life functioning, as well as the well-being of individuals suffering from it. ADHD is primarily a childhood disorder, but it can also precede into adolescence and adulthood. The cognitive-energetic model (van der Meere et al., 2010) suggests that individuals with ADHD show difficulties in allocating the right amount of effort needed for an optimal activation state. The present study investigates the extent to which self- reported ADHD levels and task performance in students can be associated with effort allocation. To measure the level of ADHD symptom severity the Conner’s Adult ADHD Rating Scale (CAARS) was administered. To measure effort allocation a cognitive effortful task was used, namely a modified Stroop task with three different stimulus presentation rates (slow, medium, and fast). Both the CAARS and the Stroop task were presented online. The sample consisted of 71 students (57 females, 13 males, and one ‘other’). The results showed that the task manipulation of effort allocation was successful, but the mean reaction time performance, as well as the accuracy rate was similar for participants with different levels of ADHD symptomatology. Possible confounding variable, such as lack of experimental control in the online setting are discussed. Keywords: effort allocation, ADHD, CAARS, Stroop task, stimulus presentation rate

Item Type:	Thesis (Master)
Supervisor name:	Mohamed, S.M.H. and Borger, N.A.
Degree programme:	Psychology
Differentiation route:	Clinical Neuropsychology (CN) [Master Psychology]
Date Deposited:	23 Aug 2022 09:51
Last Modified:	23 Aug 2022 09:51
URI:	http://gmwpublic.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/1322

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