Understanding Phonological Memory Deficits in Boys with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): Dissociation of Short-term Storage and Articulatory Rehearsal Processes

    Authors

    J. Bolden; M. D. Rapport; J. S. Raiker; D. E. Sarver;M. J. Kofler

    Comments

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    Abbreviated Journal Title

    J. Abnorm. Child Psychol.

    Keywords

    ADHD; Phonological working memory; Articulatory rehearsal processes; Phonological recall; VERBAL WORKING-MEMORY; HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER; BEHAVIORAL-INHIBITION; READING DISABILITIES; EXECUTIVE FUNCTION; DELAY AVERSION; CHILDREN; CAPACITY; PERFORMANCE; IMPAIRMENTS; Psychology, Clinical; Psychology, Developmental

    Abstract

    The current study dissociated and examined the two primary components of the phonological working memory subsystem-the short-term store and articulatory rehearsal mechanism-in boys with ADHD (n = 18) relative to typically developing boys (n = 15). Word lists of increasing length (2, 4, and 6 words per trial) were presented to and recalled by children following a brief (3 s) interval to assess their phonological short-term storage capacity. Children's ability to utilize the articulatory rehearsal mechanism to actively maintain information in the phonological short-term store was assessed using word lists at their established memory span but with extended rehearsal times (12 s and 21 s delays). Results indicate that both phonological shortterm storage capacity and articulatory rehearsal are impaired or underdeveloped to a significant extent in boys with ADHD relative to typically developing boys, even after controlling for age, SES, IQ, and reading speed. Larger magnitude deficits, however, were apparent in short-term storage capacity (ES = 1.15 to 1.98) relative to articulatory rehearsal (ES = 0.47 to 1.02). These findings are consistent with previous reports of deficient phonological short-term memory in boys with ADHD, and suggest that future attempts to develop remedial cognitive interventions for children with ADHD will need to include active components that require children to hold increasingly more information over longer time intervals.

    Journal Title

    Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology

    Volume

    40

    Issue/Number

    6

    Publication Date

    1-1-2012

    Document Type

    Article

    Language

    English

    First Page

    999

    Last Page

    1011

    WOS Identifier

    WOS:000305736300013

    ISSN

    0091-0627

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