Associations of executive and functional outcomes with full-score intellectual quotient among ADHD adults

Stéphanie Baggio; Roland Hasler; Marie-Pierre Deiber; Patrick Heller; Anna Buadze; Véronique Giacomini; Nader Perroud

doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2020.113521

Associations of executive and functional outcomes with full-score intellectual quotient among ADHD adults

Psychiatry Res. 2020 Dec:294:113521. doi: 10.1016/j.psychres.2020.113521. Epub 2020 Oct 22.

Authors

Stéphanie Baggio¹, Roland Hasler², Marie-Pierre Deiber², Patrick Heller³, Anna Buadze⁴, Véronique Giacomini⁵, Nader Perroud⁶

Affiliations

¹ Division of Prison Health, Geneva University Hospitals and University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland; Office of Corrections, Canton Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. Electronic address: stephanie.baggio@hcuge.ch.
² Department of Mental Health and Psychiatry, Service of Psychiatric Specialties, University Hospitals of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland; Department of Psychiatry, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
³ Division of Prison Health, Geneva University Hospitals and University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland; Department of Psychiatry, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
⁴ Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
⁵ Department of Mental Health and Psychiatry, Service of Psychiatric Specialties, University Hospitals of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
⁶ Department of Mental Health and Psychiatry, Service of Psychiatric Specialties, University Hospitals of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland; Department of Psychiatry, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland; Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

PMID: 33161177
DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2020.113521

Abstract

Associations between executive and functional impairment, intelligence, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have been scarcely investigated among adult populations and lead to inconsistent results. This study tested the impact of intellectual level on executive and functional impairment in a clinical sample of adults diagnosed with ADHD. Participants were recruited in a specialized center for the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD (n=66, mean age=27.9 ± 10.8). Measures included intellectual quotient (IQ, Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale) categorized as ≤110 or >110, the continuous performance test (CPT3^TM), grade retention, educational attainment, and having an activity (job or studies). Participants with a higher IQ had significantly better functional outcomes than participants with a standard IQ: higher educational attainment, lower grade retention, and often having an activity. Participants with higher IQ performed significantly better on all CPT variables assessing executive functioning. Intelligence seemed to work as a protective factor for executive and functional outcomes in a clinical population of ADHD adults and might reduce long-lasting detrimental consequences in life.

Keywords: ADHD; Executive function; Functional impairment; High IQ.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Academic Success
Adolescent
Adult
Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / diagnosis*
Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / epidemiology
Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / psychology*
Child
Educational Status
Executive Function / physiology*
Female
Humans
Intelligence / physiology*
Intelligence Tests*
Male
Neuropsychological Tests
Young Adult