Are There Race-Based Differences in Neuropsychological Test Performance and Psychological Symptom Endorsement Among...

Prevalence rates of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) vary by several demographic factors, including sex, socioeconomic status, geographic region, and race/ethnicity, with higher rates seen among non-Hispanic White children and adults compared to racially/ethnically minoritized individuals. This study investigated if similar race-based differences exist in neurocognitive test performance and psychiatric/ADHD symptom reporting among groups in a demographically diverse sample.

Data from 491 adults with a confirmed diagnosis of ADHD were analyzed to assess for differences in broad neurocognitive domains (i.e., learning and memory, attention/working memory, processing speed, and executive functions), as well as on measures of mood and ADHD-related symptomatology.

Findings largely demonstrated comparable neurocognitive test performance and ADHD and psychiatric symptom endorsement across racial groups with a known diagnosis of ADHD.

Although prior research has consistently documented racial/ethnic disparities in rates of ADHD diagnosis, current results largely did not demonstrate neuropsychological performance-based differences among demographically diverse patients diagnosed with ADHD.

ADHD is one of the most prevalent neurodevelopmental disorders in the U.S. and constitutes a large number of referrals for diagnostic evaluation. Despite disparities in rates of diagnosis among broad racial/ethnic groups, neuropsychological outcomes remain largely consistent among these groups.