Mind-wandering, depression, anxiety and ADHD: Disentangling the relationship.

BACKGROUND

Mind Wandering (MW) has been associated with ADHD in a very small number of studies with adults and children. However, anxiety and depression have also been associated with MW and both are often comorbid with ADHD. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of anxiety and depression in MW in patients with ADHD.

METHODS

The Mind Excessively Wandering Scale (MEWS) compared the levels of MW controlling for the presence of anxiety and depression symptoms in 78 adolescents (53 males and 25 females) comprising ADHD, clinical controls and typically developing individuals. Correlational analysis between MEWS score, demographic variables, ADHD, anxiety and depressive symptoms was performed using simple and multiple linear regression analysis demonstrating that only anxiety predicted MW scores. On a second analysis, we compared Anxiety and Non-Anxiety as well as ADHD and non-ADHD groups.

RESULTS

Levels of MW were significantly correlated with anxiety symptoms, but not with depression. In addition, there were no differences in ADHD and non-ADHD groups regarding MW levels.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest MW is associated with anxiety levels, independently of an ADHD diagnosis.