MEANDER
Research type
Research Study
Full title
MEANDER - Mind-wandering, Emotional lability, ADHD & Negative events as Depressogenic Risks
IRAS ID
132733
Contact name
Céline Ryckaert
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Kings College London
Research summary
BACKGROUND -
Although a body of literature consistently links both emotional lability (EL) (i.e. the occurrence of unpredictable swift and severe mood changes) and mind-wandering (MW) (i.e. thoughts not remaining on task) to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), there is currently a lack of studies using real-world experience sampling of EL and MW in adolescents with ADHD, resulting in a crucial gap in our knowledge. More specifically, EL’s and MW’s specific day-to-day clinical presentation (i.e. chronology, intensity, frequency of mood fluctuations and/or thought diversions and their relationship to daily adversities) has not been studied rigorously so far in this population, and remains currently unknown.
Taking research reports ascertaining EL and MW as a pertinent clinical concerns causing substantial additional impairment in young people with ADHD into consideration, as well as recent study findings supporting the hypotheses that EL and MW might act as a depressogenic risk factor for young people with ADHD, this knowledge gap needs to be addressed.
OBJECTIVES –
This study aims to characterise the clinical presentation of EL and MW alongside depressive and ADHD symptomatology, daily negative and life events in high detail in a population of adolescents with ADHD and normative controls.
Notably, we will use very similar methodology to our prior MIRIAD project that examined EL in adults with ADHD, allowing for direct comparisons of study findings permitting examination of developmental differences.CLINICAL BENEFITS -
By broadening our understanding of mood, MW and EL symptomatology in ADHD adolescents, we aim to improve prevention and/or treatment strategies for those young persons with ADHD at risk for/suffering from comorbid depression and/or impairing severe EL and/or MW.
REC name
London - Camberwell St Giles Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/LO/0084
Date of REC Opinion
19 Feb 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion