Examining the Structural and External Validity of the Adult Concentration Inventory for Assessing Sluggish Cognitive Tempo in Adults

Assessment ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 107319112110272
Author(s):  
Joseph W. Fredrick ◽  
G. Leonard Burns ◽  
Joshua M. Langberg ◽  
Stephen P. Becker
Keyword(s):  
Time Management ◽  
External Validity ◽  
Internalizing Symptoms ◽  
Factor Model ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Community Sample ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Sluggish Cognitive Tempo ◽  
Symptom Dimensions ◽  
Cognitive Tempo

The Adult Concentration Inventory (ACI) is an adult self-report measure of sluggish cognitive tempo (SCT) developed following a meta-analysis identifying items distinguishing SCT from attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) inattention. To date, only one study conducted in college students has examined the structural and external validity of the ACI. The current study evaluated the convergent and discriminative validity of the ACI in a community sample of adults, in addition to testing unique associations with internalizing symptoms, daily life executive functions, and sleep. Adults ( N = 286; Mage = 44.45; 83.6% female) completed ratings of SCT, ADHD symptom dimensions, and external correlates. An a priori two-factor model with cross-loadings found 10 of the 16 SCT items to have high loadings on the SCT factor and low loadings on the ADHD inattention factor. SCT was uniquely associated with higher internalizing symptoms, time management and self-organization difficulties, poorer sleep quality, shorter sleep duration, lower sleep efficiency, and more daytime sleepiness. These findings replicate and extend support for the ACI in assessing SCT in adults.

scholarly journals A-045 Sluggish Cognitive Tempo in Youth: An Examination of Executive Functioning and Self-Reported Internalizing Symptoms

2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (6) ◽  
pp. 835-835
Author(s):  
Coultis N ◽  
Hopkins J ◽  
Heideman E ◽  
Kirsch A
Keyword(s):  
Executive Functioning ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Internalizing Symptoms ◽  
Performance Test ◽  
Word Identification ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Sluggish Cognitive Tempo ◽  
Adult Intelligence Scale ◽  
Intelligence Scale ◽  
Cognitive Tempo

Abstract Objective Sluggish cognitive tempo (SCT) is a group of attention-related symptoms that are characterized by slowed behavior and thinking, excessive daydreaming, mental confusion or fogginess, and drowsiness.4 Studies have shown that SCT is related to higher rates of anxiety, depression, and social isolation.4 Additionally, recent publications have indicated that aspects of executive functioning (EF) may be impacted in children with SCT.2,5 Meta-analysis confirmed that most SCT research has focused on parent and teacher report.1,3,4 There is an increased need for studies examining SCT with self-report.5 This study will examine how SCT is related to EF and self-reported internalizing symptoms in youth with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Method Participants were youth aged 8 to 18-years with ADHD (N = 130) referred for neuropsychological testing. Participant demographics: males (N = 82, 63.1%). Measures included the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children/Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WISC-V/WAIS-IV) Processing Speed Index (PSI), Conners Continuous Performance Test (CPT) Hit Reaction Time (HRT), Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System Color Word Identification (CWI) and Tower subtests, Behavior Assessment Systems for Children (BASC) self-report scales, and Personality Assessment Inventory-Adolescent (PAI-A) scales. Results Bivariate correlations showed that the PSI was significantly correlated with CWI Inhibition (r = 0.52, p < .01), CWI Inhibition/Switching (r = 0.53, p < .01), Tower (r = −0.20, p < .05), and Social Isolation (r = −0.19, p < .05), with Depression approaching significance (p = .06). The CPT HRT was also significantly correlated with CWI Inhibition (r = −0.19, p < .05) and CWI Inhibition/Switching (r = −0.22, p < .05), with Depression approaching significance (p = .05). Conclusions SCT is associated with EF and self-reported internalizing symptoms and should be included when considering interventions.

ADHD Dimensions and Sluggish Cognitive Tempo Symptoms in Relation to Self-Report and Laboratory Measures of Neuropsychological Functioning in College Students

2014 ◽  
Vol 21 (8) ◽  
pp. 673-683 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew A. Jarrett ◽  
Hannah F. Rapport ◽  
Ana T. Rondon ◽  
Stephen P. Becker
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Time Management ◽  
Performance Test ◽  
Neuropsychological Functioning ◽  
Memory Task ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Sluggish Cognitive Tempo ◽  
Laboratory Task ◽  
Laboratory Measures ◽  
Cognitive Tempo

Objective: This study examined ADHD and sluggish cognitive tempo (SCT) symptoms in relation to self-report and laboratory measures of neuropsychological functioning in college students. Method: College students ( N = 298, aged 17-25, 72% female) completed self-reports of ADHD, SCT, depression, sleep, functional impairment, and executive functioning (EF). Participants also completed a visual working memory task, a Stroop test, and the Conners’ Continuous Performance Test–II (CPT-II). Results: ADHD inattentive and SCT symptoms were strong predictors of self-reported EF, with inattention the strongest predictor of Time Management and Motivation and SCT the strongest predictor of Self-Organization/Problem Solving. SCT (but not inattention) was associated with Emotion Regulation. No relationships were found between self-reported symptoms and laboratory task performance. Between-group analyses were largely consistent with regression analyses. Conclusion: Self-reported ADHD and SCT symptoms are strongly associated with college students’ self-reported EF, but relationships with laboratory task measures of neuropsychological functioning are limited.

scholarly journals Cortical Thickness Links Impulsive Personality Traits and Risky Behavior

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 373 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rickie Miglin ◽  
Nadia Bounoua ◽  
Shelly Goodling ◽  
Ana Sheehan ◽  
Jeffrey M. Spielberg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Personality Traits ◽  
Sensation Seeking ◽  
Risky Behavior ◽  
Factor Model ◽  
Community Sample ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Impulsive Behavior ◽  
Behavior Scale ◽  
The Right

Impulsive personality traits are often predictive of risky behavior, but not much is known about the neurobiological basis of this relationship. We investigated whether thickness of the cortical mantle varied as a function of impulsive traits and whether such variation also explained recent risky behavior. A community sample of 107 adults (ages 18–55; 54.2% men) completed self-report measures of impulsive traits and risky behavior followed by a neuroimaging protocol. Using the three-factor model of impulsive traits derived from the UPPS-P Impulsive Behavior Scale, analysis of the entire cortical mantle identified three thickness clusters that related to impulsive traits. Sensation seeking was negatively related to thickness in the right pericalcarine cortex, whereas impulsive urgency was positively associated with thickness in the left superior parietal and right paracentral lobule. Notably, follow-up analyses showed that thickness in the right pericalcarine cortex also related to recent risky behavior, with the identified cluster mediating the association between sensation seeking and risky behavior. Findings suggest that reduced thickness in the pericalcarine region partially explains the link between sensation seeking and the tendency to engage in risky behavior, providing new insight into the neurobiological basis of these relationships.

Sluggish Cognitive Tempo Symptoms, But Not ADHD or Internalizing Symptoms, Are Uniquely Related to Self-Reported Mind-Wandering in Adolescents With ADHD

2020 ◽  
pp. 108705472092309
Author(s):  
Joseph W. Fredrick ◽  
Stephen P. Becker
Keyword(s):  
Regression Analysis ◽  
Internalizing Symptoms ◽  
Mind Wandering ◽  
Sluggish Cognitive Tempo ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Adhd Symptoms ◽  
Cognitive Tempo

Objective: The purpose of this study was to test the relation between sluggish cognitive tempo (SCT) symptoms and self-reported mind-wandering in a sample of adolescents with ADHD. Method: Adolescents ( N = 79; aged 13–17 years; 70% male) diagnosed with ADHD completed measures of SCT, ADHD, anxiety, and depression symptoms, in addition to mind-wandering. Parents also provided ratings of adolescents’ ADHD symptoms. Results: All adolescent-reported psychopathology dimensions, including ADHD, internalizing, and SCT, were significantly bivariately correlated with greater mind-wandering. However, in regression analysis that considered psychopathologies simultaneously, SCT was the only dimension uniquely associated with greater mind-wandering. This finding was unchanged when parent-reported ADHD symptoms were included in the model. Conclusion: These findings are the first to show that SCT symptoms are uniquely related with self-reported mind-wandering in adolescents with ADHD and underscore the importance of considering co-occurring SCT symptoms when testing the interrelations between ADHD and mind-wandering. Replication is needed in larger samples and with other measures of mind-wandering.

Evaluation of the Interplay Between Homework Motivation and Sluggish Cognitive Tempo in Youth With ADHD: Associations With Homework Performance

2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (11) ◽  
pp. 1262-1273 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zoe R. Smith ◽  
Rosanna P. Breaux ◽  
Cathrin D. Green ◽  
Joshua M. Langberg
Keyword(s):  
Academic Failure ◽  
Parent Report ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Sluggish Cognitive Tempo ◽  
School Students ◽  
Academic Impairment ◽  
Oppositional Defiant ◽  
Youth With Adhd ◽  
Low Motivation ◽  
Cognitive Tempo

Objective: This study evaluated which Sluggish Cognitive Tempo (SCT) factors (i.e., Slow, Sleepy, Daydreamer) are most strongly associated with homework motivation, and whether homework motivation mediates the path between SCT and academic impairment. Method: Participants were 285 middle school students (boys 209) in Grades 6 to 8 (ages 10-15 years) who were comprehensively diagnosed with ADHD. Results: Parent- and self-report of SCT Slow behaviors predicted homework motivation above and beyond symptoms of ADHD, oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), anxiety, depression, and intelligence. The mediation models tested were multi-informant and cross-rater (parent-report of SCT to self-report of motivation to teacher-report of homework problems), and suggest that low motivation may help explain the associations between SCT and functional impairment. Conclusion: SCT and motivation are significantly associated constructs. Clinically, youth with ADHD and comorbid SCT may be more likely to present with low motivation, placing them at risk for academic failure. The manuscript discusses potential clinical implications of these findings.

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