ADHD Symptoms, Internalizing Symptoms, and Friendship Features in Emerging Adults: The Moderating Effect of Cognitive Disengagement Syndrome Symptoms.

OBJECTIVE

Previous research has revealed that individuals with ADHD exhibit difficulties in social functioning including obtaining and maintaining quality friendships. Cognitive disengagement syndrome (CDS) symptoms and internalizing symptoms frequently co-occur with ADHD symptoms and negatively influence social functioning, yet relatively little is known about how these symptoms uniquely relate to friendship features.

METHODS

The present study sought to examine associations among these variables in a large, multi-site sample of emerging adults. Participants (N = 4,756; 18-29 years; 72.7% female; 79.8% White) enrolled in five universities in the United States completed measures of ADHD, CDS, internalizing symptoms, and friendship features.

RESULTS

Moderated conditional effects modeling revealed that internalizing symptoms accounted for significant variance in the association between ADHD symptoms and friendship features in all models. CDS symptoms were a significant moderator of the association between ADHD symptoms and friendship features (both positive and negative) such that there was a weaker association between ADHD symptoms and friendship impairment at higher levels of CDS symptoms.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that CDS symptoms may buffer the association between ADHD and friendship features. Future research should continue to explore the associations among ADHD, CDS, and internalizing symptoms and their impact on friendship functioning.