ADHD and Academic Performance in College Students: A Systematic Review

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Educational Psychology
• Clinical Psychology

Background:

• Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) presents unique challenges for university students.
• Understanding the impact of ADHD on academic performance is crucial for developing targeted support.

Approach:

• A systematic review of 15 studies (2018-2024) was conducted using PRISMA guidelines.
• Searches were performed on PubMed, PsycInfo, and Scopus databases.
• Study quality was assessed using the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute's Quality Assessment Tool.

Key Points:

• ADHD diagnosis or significant symptoms correlate with lower academic performance in college students, particularly inattention.
• Executive functions, medication, and study strategies are key influencing factors.
• Common ADHD assessment tools include the ADHD Self-Report Scale and ADHD Rating Scale-Self Report Version.
• Academic performance was measured via Grade Point Average from university records or self-report.

Conclusions:

• ADHD significantly affects university students' academic outcomes.
• Evaluation methods for adult ADHD in academic settings require refinement, incorporating clinical assessments alongside self-reports.