Predicting Occupational Outcomes for Individuals with ADHD: The Role of Hyperactivity/Impulsivity and Executive Functioning

The present study adds to the literature by evaluating the differential risk of ADHD symptom dimensions and executive functioning (EF; time management, organization, motivation) to key occupational outcomes.

Participants were adults (N = 100; 51% male) with ADHD working full-time between the ages of 19–30 (M = 26.61, SD = 2.28). Participants reported on their ADHD symptoms and EF as well as on five areas of occupational functioning (income, written warnings, boredom at work, satisfaction with coworkers and supervisors).

Over and above medication status, sex, and age, path analyses revealed hyperactivity/impulsivity and time management were the most consistent predictors of outcomes. Higher levels of each predictor were associated with lower income, more written warnings, greater boredom at work, as well as lower satisfaction with coworkers and supervisors. Executive function difficulties with organization and motivation were risk factors for all evaluated outcomes, except written warnings. Higher levels of inattention symptoms were associated with more written warnings and lower satisfaction with coworkers.

The present study is one of the first to document the differential risks of ADHD symptoms and EF to a comprehensive set of occupational functioning outcomes. Future research is needed to replicate the present findings and expand this line of work to identify factors that may protect against these ADHD-related risks on workplace success.