ADHD Symptoms, Maladaptive Schemas, and Dysfunctional Automatic Thoughts: Exploring Theorized Relationships in Emerging Adults

作者：Pickel CT, Wymbs BT · 发表于：Journal of attention disorders · 年份：2026 · DOI：10.1177/10870547261478353 · 研究领域：ADHD、CBT、automatic thoughts、schemas

OBJECTIVE: Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults emphasize the role of dysfunctional cognitions in reinforcing and exacerbating distress and impairment. However, research supporting theorized connections between ADHD symptoms, maladaptive schemas, negative automatic thoughts (NAT; e.g., "I'm stupid"; "It's pointless"), overly-positive avoidant thoughts (OPAT; e.g., "I have plenty of time-I'll do it later"), and impairment is limited. METHODS: The current study sought to evaluate the cognitive behavioral framework for adult ADHD in a community sample of 141 emerging adults (M age = 19.84; 85.5% White; 72.1% female; 20% reported ADHD diagnosis), while controlling for relevant covariates (age, sex, and self-reported symptoms of anxiety and depression). Hierarchical stepwise regressions were used to test theorized relationships between ADHD symptoms, maladaptive schemas, and dysfunctional automatic thoughts, and examine how each of these are related to impairment. RESULTS: ADHD symptoms and two maladaptive schemas (Insufficient Self-Control and Dependence/Incompetence) jointly predicted OPAT: ADHD symptoms and Insufficient Self-Control were positively associated with OPAT, whereas Dependence/Incompetence was negatively associated. Two maladaptive schemas (Insufficient Self-Control and Failure to Achieve) were found to be positively associated with NAT. Finally, ADHD symptoms and NAT were positively related to impairment...