A comparative temporal network analysis of individuals with ADHD symptoms: an examination of the relationship between...

Psychotic-like experiences (PLEs) refer to hallucination-like (HLEs) or delusion-like (DLEs) experiences defined as subclinical phenomena located at the lower end of the psychosis continuum. PLEs etiology includes neurodevelopmental changes, maladaptive coping styles, exposure to negative emotions, and stress. These factors frequently co-occur in individuals with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) symptoms, considered a risk factor for PLEs. A total of 188 participants from the general population completed the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) questionnaire and participated in a seven-day ESM procedure. Participants were divided into High and Low ADHD groups based on self-report symptom severity scale. Saliva samples were collected to determine cortisol levels. A temporal network analysis was used to analyze targeted associations, and permutation testing to compare the differences between the groups. In the H_ADHD group, cortisol was a stronger predictor of threat anticipation (TA) than in the L_ADHD group, and DLEs were strongly associated with TA. In the L_ADHD group, HLEs had a stronger relationship with ruminations and TA than in the H_ADHD group. In both groups, negative affect (NA) was the strongest predictor of ruminations. Out-strength analysis revealed that in the H_ADHD group, DLEs exhibited the strongest predictive function on other variables, while in the L_ADHD group, it was NA. Cortisol level was associated with an increase in TA exclusively in the H_ADHD group, meanwhile in the L_ADHD with subsequent alcohol consumption. The study highlights the different temporal dynamics between factors in individuals with high/low ADHD symptomatology in a non-clinical sample. Interventions for individuals with ADHD should prioritize NA as a central element, focusing on adaptive emotion and stress regulation.