Title

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

Authors

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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