(PS1-C52) The Protective Role of Grit in the Relationship Between ADHD Symptoms and Academic Functional Impairment

The study investigates the relationship between Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) symptoms and academic impairment in college students, exploring the protective role of grit, specifically focusing on traits related to goal-directed behavior. Grit, defined as the maintenance of interest and effort in meeting goals over time, is hypothesized to moderate the association between ADHD symptoms and academic impairment.
 

The participants were 1,247 students from eight universities in the United States. The study collected data on grit, ADHD symptoms, and academic impairment using various measures.
 

Regression analyses revealed a significant association between ADHD symptoms and increased academic impairment. Grit, overall and its subscales (perseverance of effort and consistency of interest), were associated with decreased academic impairment. Moderation analyses indicated that consistency of interest (CoI) significantly moderated the relationship between ADHD symptoms and academic impairment, suggesting that students with high levels of CoI experienced a weaker association between ADHD symptoms and academic difficulties.
 

The findings imply that specific facets of grit, such as consistency of interest, may act protectively for students with ADHD symptoms in the academic setting. The study suggests further exploration of goal-oriented traits to understand how they could alleviate challenges for undergraduates, especially those with ADHD.