Which 'Working' Components of Working Memory aren't Working in Youth with ADHD?

Which 'Working' Components of Working Memory aren't Working in Youth with ADHD?
J Abnorm Child Psychol. 2020 Jan 27;:
Authors: Fosco WD, Kofler MJ, Groves NB, Chan ESM, Raiker JS
Abstract
Despite replicated evidence for working memory deficits in youth with ADHD, no study has comprehensively assessed all three primary 'working' subcomponents of the working memory system in these children. Children ages 8-13 with (n = 45) and without (n = 41) ADHD (40% female; Mage = 10.5; 65% Caucasian/Non-Hispanic) completed a counterbalanced battery of nine tasks (three per construct) assessing working memory reordering (maintaining and rearranging information in mind), updating (active monitoring of incoming information and replacing outdated with relevant information), and dual-processing (maintaining information in mind while performing a secondary task). Detailed analytic plans were preregistered. Bayesian t-tests indicated that, at the group level, children with ADHD exhibited significant impairments in working memory reordering (BF10 = 4.64 × 105; d = 1.34) and updating (BF10 = 9.49; d = 0.64), but not dual-processing (BF01 = 1.33; d = 0.37). Overall, 67%-71% of youth with ADHD exhibited impairment in at least one central executive working memory domain. Reordering showed the most ADHD-related impairment, with 75% classified as below average or impaired, and none demonstrating strengths. The majority o...

Source: Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology - January 26, 2020 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Fosco WD, Kofler MJ, Groves NB, Chan ESM, Raiker JS Tags: J Abnorm Child Psychol Source Type: research