Assessing treatment effects of a psychoeducational group on thoughts, feelings and actions of adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

The purpose of this action study was to assess effects of a psychoeducational group on thoughts, feelings and actions of adults with Attention-deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Specifically this study was designed to change organizational skills of ADHD adults using the TFA System and Group Pentagon.

Three groups were evaluated during this study. Nine adults with ADHD in the treatment group participated in all of the pretesting, treatment and posttesting. Eight adults with ADHD served as a control group and participated in all of the pretesting and posttesting but received no treatment. Sixteen normal adults served as a second control group and were administered some evaluation instruments as a pretest in order to compare their scores to the two ADHD groups.

Pre and posttest assessments consisted of: TFA self-assessments, a seven item checklist of organizational skills and a seven scale inventory of adult ADHD behaviors. A four session psychoeducational group was constructed using information from literature, assessments and Group Pentagon. Specific interventions were designed to improve individual behavior related to time management and task completion.

Results showed that the TFA and Group Pentagon models had both statistical and practical effects in improving organizational skills of the treatment group. Participants were able to examine and change their thoughts, feelings and actions to improve time management and task completion skills. The ADHD control group showed no statistically significant changes.