What question did this study set out to answer?

To evaluate the cognitive-behavioral framework of adult ADHD by examining how ADHD symptoms, maladaptive core schemas, and dysfunctional automatic thoughts relate to functional impairment.

August 15, 2026Journal of Attention DisordersOpen Access

ADHD Symptoms, Maladaptive Schemas, and Dysfunctional Automatic Thoughts: Exploring Theorized Relationships in Emerging Adults

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

To evaluate the cognitive-behavioral framework of adult ADHD by examining how ADHD symptoms, maladaptive core schemas, and dysfunctional automatic thoughts relate to functional impairment.
Cross-sectional survey conducted in a community sample of 141 emerging adults (mean age = 19.84 years; 85.5% White; 72.1% female; 20% reported an ADHD diagnosis).
Hierarchical stepwise regressions evaluated relationships between variables while controlling for age, sex, and self-reported symptoms of anxiety and depression.
ADHD symptoms and the 'Insufficient Self-Control' schema positively predicted overly-positive avoidant thoughts (OPAT), whereas the 'Dependence/Incompetence' schema was negatively associated with OPAT.
The maladaptive schemas of 'Insufficient Self-Control' and 'Failure to Achieve' were positively associated with negative automatic thoughts (NAT).
Both ADHD symptoms and negative automatic thoughts showed significant positive associations with overall functional impairment.

Discussion

No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.

Implication

Cross-sectional analysis finds maladaptive schemas and negative thoughts drive impairment in emerging adults with ADHD, highlighting key targets for therapy.

Cite This Study

Pickel et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a8019f175c2e31742c8639e https://doi.org/10.1177/10870547261478353

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Implication

Cross-sectional analysis finds maladaptive schemas and negative thoughts drive impairment in emerging adults with ADHD, highlighting key targets for therapy.

ADHD Symptoms, Maladaptive Schemas, and Dysfunctional Automatic Thoughts: Exploring Theorized Relationships in Emerging Adults

Key Points

Discussion

Implication

Cite This Study

ADHD Symptoms, Maladaptive Schemas, and Dysfunctional Automatic Thoughts: Exploring Theorized Relationships in Emerging Adults

Key Points

Discussion

Implication

Cite This Study

Also Consider

Also Consider