Behavioral and Self-Report Measures of Spontaneous Mind Wandering Predict Different Aspects of ADHD in Adults

Studies have provided evidence that mind wandering (MW) is involved in the symptomatology of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). One of the notable categorizations of MW is based on the dimension of intentionality, in which intentional MW is labeled as deliberate MW (D-MW) while the unintentional form is called spontaneous MW (S-MW). S-MW has been reported to be associated with lapses of attention or impulsive behaviors in individuals with ADHD. Using self-report and behavioral measures, the present study aimed to replicate the finding that scores on the S-MW scale predict those on the ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS) and to examine whether task performance under the S-MW state similarly predicts the scores on the ASRS scores.

The participants completed the ASRS and the D-MW and S-MW scales several days before performing the laboratory task (i.e., the continuous counting Stroop task). During the Stroop task (576 trials × 2 blocks), experience sampling probes were presented (20/block), which requested the participants to report their attentional state (i.e., concentrated, D-MW, S-MW, or other).

A univariate analysis showed that the accuracy of the Stroop task was remarkably lower under S-MW than under D-MW. Multiple regression analyses showed that scores on the S-MW scale and the accuracy of the Stroop task in the S-MW state independently predicted the ASRS scores.

These results may indicate that individuals with ADHD could suffer from two different types of interference stemming from S-MW.