Competing Core Processes in Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): Do Working Memory Deficiencies Underlie Behavioral Inhibition Deficits?

    Authors

    R. M. Alderson; M. D. Rapport; K. L. Hudec; D. E. Sarver;M. J. Kofler

    Comments

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    Abbreviated Journal Title

    J. Abnorm. Child Psychol.

    Keywords

    Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder; ADHD; Behavioral inhibition; Stop-signal task; Working memory; HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER; SELECTIVE ATTENTION; RESPONSE-INHIBITION; EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONS; SHORT-TERM; CHILDREN; PERFORMANCE; VALIDITY; MODEL; ENDOPHENOTYPES; Psychology, Clinical; Psychology, Developmental

    Abstract

    The current study examined competing predictions of the working memory and behavioral inhibition models of ADHD. Behavioral inhibition was measured using a conventional stop-signal task, and central executive, phonological, and visuospatial working memory components (Baddeley 2007) were assessed in 14 children with ADHD and 13 typically developing (TD) children. Bootstrapped mediation analyses revealed that the visuospatial working memory system and central executive both mediated the relationship between group membership (ADHD, TD) and stop-signal task performance. Conversely, stop-signal task performance mediated the relationship between group membership and central executive processes, but was unable to account for the phonological and visuospatial storage/rehearsal deficits consistently found in children with ADHD. Comparison of effect size estimates for both models suggested that working memory deficits may underlie impaired stop-signal task performance in children with ADHD. The current findings therefore challenge existing models of ADHD that describe behavioral inhibition as a core deficit of the disorder.

    Journal Title

    Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology

    Volume

    38

    Issue/Number

    4

    Publication Date

    1-1-2010

    Document Type

    Article

    Language

    English

    First Page

    497

    Last Page

    507

    WOS Identifier

    WOS:000276219800006

    ISSN

    0091-0627

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