Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic: Implications for internalizing behaviors in college students.

The purpose of this study was to delineate the moderating roles of negative experiences related to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on the association between Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder symptoms and anxiety symptoms and internalizing behaviors during Fall 2020. Participants were 200 college students. Using a moderated moderation model, researchers found that attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms predicted anxiety symptoms for those who internalized behaviors and experienced COVID-19 more negatively. Results suggested that ADHD symptoms were playing a role in the manifestation of anxiety symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic and that college students who internalize behaviors experienced worsened ADHD symptoms. Clinical implications underscore the importance of providing mental health resources for students on campus, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Specialized treatment may include help with developing time management skills and teaching interventions such as mindfulness exercises that may help alleviate anxiety and improve attention and concentration.