Subdomain Investigation of Executive Functioning in Emerging Adults With and Without ADHD Symptoms

ADHD often persists from childhood into adulthood yet understanding of the neuropsychological profile of ADHD in emerging adults (18–24 years) is limited and inconsistent. Both diagnosed individuals and those with subthreshold symptoms often struggle with executive functioning. This study examined executive function subdomains in emerging adults with ADHD symptoms. Participants included 71 emerging adults (45 women, 24 men, 2 other) who completed computerized tasks assessing working memory, response inhibition, set shifting, and sustained attention; and questionnaires of ADHD symptoms and cognitive disengagement. Categorical and dimensional analyses both showed that individuals with ADHD symptoms had more false alarms (N-back task) and had higher rates of unsuccessful stopping (stop-signal task). Cognitive disengagement syndrome symptoms predicted more false alarms, distinct from effects of inattention severity. Results indicate that working memory and unsuccessful stopping distinguish ADHD in emerging adults. Cognitive disengagement syndrome symptoms also predict lapses in working memory and may offer unique additional information toward understanding working memory performance in ADHD. Evaluating symptoms of cognitive disengagement syndrome in addition to ADHD may provide additional insights into observed working memory deficits. Emerging adults with ADHD symptoms—including those without clinical diagnosis—may benefit from working memory support and evaluation for cognitive disengagement syndrome.