2 research outputs found
Protective Factors For Emerging Adults With Subclinical Adhd
ABSTRACT
PROTECTIVE FACTORS FOR EMERGING ADULTS WITH SUBCLINICAL ADHD
by
OLIVIA A. McGARRAGLE
May 2013
Advisor: Dr. Stephen Hillman
Major: Educational Psychology
Degree: Doctor of Philosophy
This study investigated the understudied and significant problem of subclinical ADHD in emerging adult college students. Limited literature had estimated a significant prevalence of 10-15% in this age group (Bussing et al., 2010). Studies have established that although individuals with subclinical ADHD do not meet full DSM-IV criteria for ADHD, they experience significant academic impairment nonetheless (Kats-Gold, Besser & Priel, 2007). ADHD experts have demonstrated that subclinical ADHD individuals need to be identified in order to provide the appropriate academic accommodation (Bussing et al., 2010; Du Paul et al., 2009; Norwalk, Norvilitis & MacLean, 2009). This study used the online survey service survey monkey and a large sample of college students to learn about the relationship between subclinical ADHD and academic performance. Potential protective factors: interpersonal skills, history of a mentor, and study skills were investigated as moderators of this relationship. 200 college students participated in this study; 100 qualified as having subclinical ADHD, the other 100 were nonclinical. Students completed self report questionnaires online measuring ADHD symptoms, interpersonal skills, presence of a mentor, demographic information, and their cumulative and course grade point averages (GPA). Subclinical ADHD students were found to have lower achievement. A negative relationship between level of subclinical ADHD symptoms and GPA was demonstrated. Subclinical ADHD students were shown to possess study skills deficits: certain sub skills in particular. Importantly, subclinical ADHD was shown to significantly predict GPA. Study skills, self-efficacy for learning in particular predicted GPA accounting for 11% variance. Finally, this study built a relational model between subclinical ADHD and GPA in emerging adults by demonstrating that study skills moderated this relationship, and therefore, served as a protective factor for at-risk subclinical ADHD college students