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Working memory and social competence in individuals with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) traits

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dc.contributor.authorAustin, Kristin Elizabethen
dc.contributor.committeechairOllendick, Thomas H.en
dc.contributor.committeememberScarpa, Angelaen
dc.contributor.committeememberBell, Martha Annen
dc.contributor.committeememberDunsmore, Julie C.en
dc.contributor.committeememberWhite, Susan Williamsen
dc.contributor.departmentPsychologyen
dc.date.accessioned2017-07-29T06:00:35Zen
dc.date.available2017-07-29T06:00:35Zen
dc.date.issued2016-02-04en
dc.description.abstractAttention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorders with similar functional impairments. Specifically, working memory (WM) deficits have been found in studies of both ADHD and ASD and social competence has been identified as an area in which these individuals also struggle. The purpose of this study was (a) to identify which components of working memory (WM; based on Baddeley's 2000 model) are deficient and (b) to explore how WM deficits contribute to social problems in individuals with varying levels of ADHD symptoms and ASD traits. It was hypothesized that visuospatial (VS) WM deficits would be evident in the three analogue clinical groups, phonological (PH) WM and central executive (CE) deficits would be more evident in groups with high ADHD symptoms, all three analogue clinical groups would have lower social competence, and WM abilities would moderate the relationship between ADHD symptoms and social competence. In Phase I, 1311 undergraduate students participated in an online survey on general psychopathology, ADHD symptoms, and ASD traits. From this sample, a subgroup (n = 60) completed Phase II, an in-lab session that included WM tasks, a brief cognitive assessment, and social conversation task. Although WM deficits were not identified for any group, all participants demonstrated worse performance on the VS WM task than the PH WM task. However, WM abilities did not moderate the relationship between ADHD symptoms and social competence. Exploratory analyses were conducted with similar results. Limitations and suggestions for future research are discussed.en
dc.description.degreePh. D.en
dc.format.mediumETDen
dc.identifier.othervt_gsexam:6724en
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10919/78470en
dc.publisherVirginia Techen
dc.rightsIn Copyrighten
dc.rights.urihttp://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/en
dc.subjectattention-deficit/hyperactivity disorderen
dc.subjectautism spectrum disorderen
dc.subjectworking memoryen
dc.subjectsocial competenceen
dc.subjectcollege studentsen
dc.titleWorking memory and social competence in individuals with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) traitsen
dc.typeDissertationen
thesis.degree.disciplinePsychologyen
thesis.degree.grantorVirginia Polytechnic Institute and State Universityen
thesis.degree.leveldoctoralen
thesis.degree.namePh. D.en

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