Using the Woodcock-Johnson IV tests of cognitive abilities to detect feigned ADHD.

Research has suggested that many young adults can successfully feign ADHD, reporting clinically significant symptom levels and displaying deficits on cognitive tasks when asked to do so. Standalone performance validity tests (PVTs) have shown some success in identifying feigned ADHD, but these tests are rarely used in typical ADHD evaluation batteries. The present study attempted to develop embedded PVT indices from the Woodcock-Johnson IV Tests of Cognitive Abilities (WJ-IV).

Differential Diagnosis of Sluggish Cognitive Tempo Symptoms in College Students.

Sluggish cognitive tempo (SCT) refers to a set of symptoms that prior research has found to be related to several different psychological disorders, especially the predominantly inattentive presentation of ADHD. This study collected evidence relevant to the question of whether SCT is a distinct disorder. College students ( = 910) completed measures of SCT, ADHD, depression, anxiety, sleep quality, and substance misuse.

Profiles of Diagnosed and Undiagnosed College Students Meeting ADHD Symptom Criteria.

This study compared the psychological profiles of college students who self-reported an ADHD diagnosis in contrast to students without a diagnosis who reported above-threshold ADHD symptoms. A large sample of college students yielded four subgroups: students with a self-reported diagnosis who met symptom criteria (Diagnosed, = 40), students with a self-reported diagnosis who did not meet symptom criteria (Low Symptoms, = 47), students who had no diagnosis and did not meet symptom criteria (Controls, = 87), and students who had no diagnosis yet met symptom criteria (Undiagnosed, = 38). All participants completed a battery of self-report rating scales assessing a variety of symptom and impairment domains.

Sluggish Cognitive Tempo and Speed of Performance.

Objective: This study examined whether college students who reported higher levels of sluggish cognitive tempo (SCT) symptoms were actually more "sluggish" in their performance while completing speeded cognitive and academic measures.

Method: College students ( N = 253) completed self-reports of SCT and their reading and test-taking abilities as well as tests of processing speed, reading fluency, and reading comprehension.

Results: Across all variables, SCT symptoms were most significantly associated with self-reported difficulty on timed reading tasks.

Executive Dysfunction and Functional Impairment Associated With Sluggish Cognitive Tempo in Emerging Adulthood.

Objective: Research has identified a relationship between sluggish cognitive tempo (SCT) symptoms and symptoms of ADHD, anxiety, and depression; however, no study has controlled for symptoms of ADHD, anxiety, and depression when examining impairment related to SCT symptoms. This study aimed to examine (a) the extent to which functional impairment and executive function (EF) problems were accounted for by SCT symptoms when controlling for ADHD, anxiety, and depression symptoms, and (b) which type of symptoms were associated with the greatest amount of impairment.

Method: College students ( N = 458) completed self-report scales of ADHD, SCT, anxiety, and depression symptoms, as well as functional impairment and EF problems.