Date of Submission

2024

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Department

Psychology

Department Chair

Stephanie Felgoise, Ph.D., ABPP

First Advisor

Bradley M. Rosenfield, Psy.D., M.S.

Second Advisor

Robert A. DiTomasso, Ph.D., ABPP

Third Advisor

J. Russell Ramsay, Ph.D., ABPP

Abstract

Sluggish cognitive tempo (SCT) was first described as a syndrome associated with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD); however, SCT may be a unique construct, independent of the presence of ADHD. Archival data from a specialty outpatient adult ADHD clinic were analyzed to further evaluate the relationship between SCT and ADHD. It was hypothesized that there would not be significant differences between ADHD and SCT on measures of anxiety, depression, neuroticism, and sleep disturbance. Second, it was hypothesized that after controlling for anxiety, depression, neuroticism, and sleep disturbance at level 1 of a hierarchical regression analysis, there would be no additive predictive relationship for ADHD and SCT at level 2, using the Inventory of Cognitive Distortions as the outcome variable. Third, it was hypothesized that after controlling for the linear combination of anxiety, depression, neuroticism, and sleep disturbance at level 1 of a hierarchical regression analysis, there would be no additive predictive relationship between the diagnosis of ADHD and SCT at level 2 using the ADHD Cognitive Scale (purportedly measuring overly positive cognitions associated with adult ADHD) as the outcome variable. There were 66 subjects who met the criteria for ADHD, and 52 met the criteria for SCT. All hypotheses were supported, suggesting that SCT may be better conceptualized as an underlying construct or the manifestation of a syndrome comprised of multiple disorders, not a stand-alone diagnosis. The results of this study may provide further insight into ADHD, SCT, and frequently comorbid conditions and help inform the assessment and treatment of individuals with these complex and challenging disorders.

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