Impact of COVID-19 on Youth With ADHD: Predictors and Moderators of Response to Pandemic Restrictions on Daily Life
Eliana Rosenthal, Sara Franklin‐Gillette, Hi Jae Jung, Amanda K. Nelson, Steven W. Evans, Thomas J. Power, Benjamin E. Yerys, Bridget V. Dever, Erin Reckner, George J. DuPaul
Abstract
We examined COVID-19 symptoms and infection rates, disruptions to functioning, and moderators of pandemic response for 620 youth with ADHD and 614 individually matched controls (70% male; M age = 12.4) participating in the Adolescent Brain and Cognitive Development study. There were no group differences in COVID-19 infection rate; however, youth with ADHD were more likely to exhibit COVID-19 symptoms ( d = 0.25), greater sleep problems ( d = −0.52), fear and negative emotions to infection risk ( d = −0.56), trouble with remote learning ( d = −0.54), rule-breaking behavior related to COVID-19 restrictions ( d = −0.23), family conflict ( d = −0.13), and were less prepared for the next school year ( d = 0.38). Youth with ADHD were less responsive to protective environmental variables (e.g., parental monitoring, school engagement) during the pandemic and may need more specialized support with return to in-person schooling and daily activities.