An empirical examination of the relationships between Adult Attention Deficit, Personal Task Management Systems and Role Stress

Journal of Behavioral and Applied Management, Jan 2009 by Coetzer, Graeme H, Richmond, Lynn

ABSTRACT

Adult attention deficit disorders (AAD) and stress are pervasive and significant experiences with mostly harmful consequences for both employees and organizations as a whole. This research study proposes a link between AAD and role stress. Adults who are experiencing the core symptoms of AAD (difficulties with task activation, concentration, effort, emotional interference and accessing memory) are less likely to develop an effective task management system. This in turn should lead to higher levels of role stress. Both the association between AAD and total role stress (r = 0.34, p

Introduction

A recent national survey found that 4.2 percent of US workers had adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) resulting in $19.5 billion in lost human capital per annum (Kessler, Adler, Ames, Barkley, Birnbuam, Greenberg, Johnstone, Spencer & Ustun, 2005). Recent lifespan research suggests that the majority of children with ADHD continue to experience symptoms as adults (Barkley, Fischer, Smallish & Fletcher, 2002; Biederman, Mick & Faraone, 2000; Mannuzza, Klien, Bessler, Malloy & LaPadula, 1998; Weiss, Hechtman, Milroy & Perlman, 1985; Wilens, Biederman & Spencer, 2002). Prevalence estimates of ADHD among adults in the United States vary according to the measurement criteria used, with estimates ranging from less than 10 percent to as high as 70 percent (Barkley et al., 2002; Mannuzza et al., 1993, 1998; Weiss et al., 1985). A recent population screen of 966 adults in the United States suggests prevalence rates of 2.9 percent for narrowly defined ADHD and 16.4 percent using a more broad definition (Faraone & Biederman, 2005). Kessler et al., (2005) concludes that adult attention deficit disorders are a common and costly problem within the US workforce.

Adult Attention Deficit

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) defines attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as "a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that is more frequent and severe than is typically observed in individuals at a comparable level of development" (APA, 1994, pg. 78). A recent national survey by Harris Interactive (2004) found that the majority of adults with ADHD believed that the disorder had constrained them from achieving both short and long term goals. Research has confirmed that adults with ADHD attain lower occupational ranking, socioeconomic status and social class standing when compared with their peers (Biederman, Faraone, Spencer, Mick, Monuteaux, & Aleardi, 2006; Mannuzza, Klien, Bessler, Malloy & LaPadula, 1993). Research by Biederman et al., (2006) found that, on average, adults with ADHD have household incomes that are $10,791 lower for high school graduates and $4,334 lower for college graduates. Annual income loss for adults with ADHD in the United States is estimated at $77 billion, which is similar to income loss estimates for drug abuse ($58 billion) and alcohol abuse ($86 billion). Research has also established a link between ADHD and substance abuse (Biederman et al., 2006).

A recent study using data from Fortune 200 companies found that absenteeism and medical costs for employees diagnosed with ADHD were 48 percent higher (Secnik, Swensen & Lage, 2005). Adults with ADHD were also more likely to change jobs (Goodwin & Corgiat, 1992; Wallis, 1994), engage in part time employment (Biederman et al., 2006) and seek out jobs that don't require concentration over long periods of time (Weinstock, 1993). They also avoid jobs that require close supervision, repetitive tasks and sedentary performance conditions (Mannuzza et al., 1993). The disorder is also associated with higher accident rates and lower productivity (Reynolds, 1996, 1997). Adults with ADHD are perceived by their employers as requiring more supervision and less able to complete assignments (Barkley, 1990).

Adults with ADHD have difficulty focusing on their problem behavior and without help will often fall into a chain of failures (Nadeau, 1997). Barkley (1990) suggests that depression, anxiety and diminished hopes of future success may help to develop and exacerbate the symptoms of adult ADHD. This suggests that without intervention, adults with attention disorders are more likely to find themselves in a debilitating cycle. The chain of failures produced by attention related difficulties may produce depression, anxiety and hopelessness, which in turn exacerbates the symptoms of the disorder and increases the likelihood of ongoing failures.

ADHD may also be associated with positive behaviors like ingenuity, creativity and determination (Mannuzza et al.,1993), which may explain why entrepreneurs appear to have relatively higher levels of the disorder (Miller, 1993). In fast paced work environments, adults with ADHD may perform just as well, if not better, than non-ADHD employees (Stuart, 1992). Hartman (1993) encourages a more encompassing view of adult workers with ADHD by suggesting that employers consider both the negative and positive behaviors associated with the condition.