Visual-selective attention in young adult males with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

The purpose of this study was to investigate the selective attention abilities of young adults (aged 18 to 22 years), diagnosed with ADHD. The study was guided by Michael Posner's (1990) Attention Network Theory that examines three, neural systems of visual attention. The study also surveyed the domains of visual memory and visual processing speed to examine factors that might account for differences found among the participants. The sample included young adults who have been diagnosed with Attention-- Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder combined type (ADHD), a comparison group of young adults who have been diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder, and a Control group of young adults who have never been diagnosed with ADHD or Bipolar Disorder. No significant differences found among the three groups on tasks of selective visual attention, visual memory and visual processing speed. A significant difference was found, however, on a task of visual copy. Thus, the ADHD group performed worse than the Bipolar Disorder and Control group when copying a visual stimulus from a model.