The Relationship between PTSD and Sluggish cognitive tempo in individuals with ADHD Symptoms: Child Abuse and Experience Avoidance

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between post-traumatic stress disorder and Sluggish cognitive tempo in individuals with ADHD Symptoms with emphasis on the moderating role of child abuse and the mediating role of experiential avoidance.

In this correlational study, the statistical population included 312 patients with ADHD in the age range of 18 to 60 years-old in Isfahan who had Barkley Adult ADHD rating scale (BAARS) of Z=+1 scores. Then, in order to assess the moderating role of child abuse, the subjects were divided into two separate groups (Z <0 including those who were not diagnosed with child abuse and Z> 0 including those who were diagnosed with child abuse).

The results showed that child abuse modulates the relationship between post-traumatic stress disorder and Sluggish cognitive tempo (t = 1.97, P <0.05) and experience avoidance does not mediate this relationship (The standard coefficient of indirect effect in the group who experienced child abuse is equal to 0.17 (P = 0.466), and in the group without that experience is equal to 0.12 (P = 0.411)).

According to the research findings, child abuse affects the relationship between post-traumatic stress disorder and Sluggish cognitive tempo and therefore can play a role in the development of Sluggish cognitive tempo.