To What Extent is the Relationship Between ADHD and Reward-Related Hyperfocus Mediated by Executive Functions, Reward Sensitivity, and Delay Aversion in University Students?

McMahon, Emma (2025) To What Extent is the Relationship Between ADHD and Reward-Related Hyperfocus Mediated by Executive Functions, Reward Sensitivity, and Delay Aversion in University Students? Master thesis, Psychology.

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Abstract

As emerging adults begin their higher academic education, those with heightened ADHD symptoms encounter increasing challenges related to attention dysregulation. They may experience distractibility and difficulties focusing but also hyperfocus, a prolonged state of increased, narrowed attention on a stimulus. This study explored the potential underlying mechanisms linking ADHD and hyperfocus in rewarding situations, specifically executive functions, reward sensitivity, and delay aversion. A final sample of 334 university students completed a self-report on ADHD, reward-related hyperfocus, reward sensitivity, and delay aversion, as well as performing a task measuring executive functioning. The study replicates the previous findings of increased reward-related hyperfocus in students exhibiting higher levels of ADHD symptoms. Moreover, the results suggest that a stronger motivation to pursue rewards may contribute to more frequent experiences of reward-related hyperfocus independent of ADHD symptomology. In addition, a greater preference for immediate over larger-delayed rewards was also associated with more frequent experiences of hyperfocus in rewarding instances. However, the study did not find evidence for mediating effects of executive functions, reward sensitivity, or delay aversion. Future research is necessary to further explore the cognitive and affective processes in people with ADHD that facilitate the experience of reward-related hyperfocus, as well as the effectiveness of hyperfocus in the context of academia. A deeper insight into these mechanisms can be useful for better management of the day-to-day lives of people with ADHD and for the development of informed and compensatory strategies that enhance attentional capacities for students with ADHD symptomology.

Item Type:	Thesis (Master)
Supervisor name:	Garcia Pimenta, M. and Purnama Sari, N.
Degree programme:	Psychology
Differentiation route:	Clinical Neuropsychology (CN) [Master Psychology]
Date Deposited:	16 Jul 2025 11:16
Last Modified:	16 Jul 2025 11:16
URI:	http://gmwpublic.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/5559

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