Forster, Sophie and Brown, Chris R H (2022) Lapses in the person radar: ADHD symptoms predict difficulty in interpersonal distancing. Journal of Attention Disorders. pp. 1-13. ISSN 1087-0547

	PDF - Accepted Version Restricted to SRO admin only Download (609kB)
	PDF - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution. Download (398kB)

Abstract

Objective:
Across contexts, from social cognition to the COVID-19 pandemic response, individual variation in the regulation of interpersonal distance has typically been viewed as a voluntary choice. Here we examine the frequency of unintentional lapses in interpersonal distancing, and their relationship with childhood ADHD symptoms.

Method:
We administered a novel measure of difficulty in interpersonal distancing across 3 undergraduate samples (total N = 1,225), in addition to measures of recalled childhood ADHD symptoms, mind wandering and hyperfocus.

Results:
Almost all (>97%) participants reported unintentional lapses in maintaining interpersonal distance, with 16% experiencing such lapses frequently. Thirty percent of the variance in these reports was accounted for by attentional traits: Inattentive and hyperactive/impulsive ADHD symptoms jointly predicted difficulties with interpersonal distancing, with the former relationship fully mediated by hyperfocus and spontaneous mind wandering.

Conclusion:
Both inattentive and hyperactive/impulsive ADHD symptoms confer vulnerability to frequent unintentional lapses in interpersonal distancing.

Item Type:	Article
Keywords:	ADHD, Covid-19, hyper-focus, interpersonal distancing, mind wandering
Schools and Departments:	School of Psychology > Psychology
SWORD Depositor:	Mx Elements Account
Depositing User:	Mx Elements Account
Date Deposited:	05 Jan 2023 11:34
Last Modified:	18 Jan 2023 09:45
URI:	http://sro.sussex.ac.uk/id/eprint/109978

View download statistics for this item

📧 Request an update