Adolescents' executive functions: Links to inattention, hyperactivity-impulsivity, trait mindfulness, and attachment relationships with fathers and mothers.
Strong father attachment and teen mindfulness can cushion executive-function blows from ADHD.
01Research in Context
What this study did
Al-Yagon et al. (2022) compared high-schoolers with ADHD to same-age peers without ADHD.
They measured executive function, trait mindfulness, and how close each teen felt to mom and dad.
The study used surveys and short tasks, not treatment.
What they found
Teens with ADHD scored lower on every measure: planning, working memory, staying aware, and feeling close to parents.
Strong father bond and higher mindfulness softened the EF hit; more ADHD symptoms made it worse.
How this fits with other research
Mitchell et al. (2025) saw the same mindfulness gap in teens, showing the deficit is real and stable.
Qian et al. (2013) mapped EF growth and found only some skills lag; Michal adds that mindfulness and dad bond can speed those lags up.
Gau et al. (2013) saw colder mom parenting linked to ADHD; Michal widens the lens to dads and shows the warmth link is not just about behavior— it boosts thinking skills too.
Why it matters
If you work with high-schoolers who have ADHD, check how connected they feel to dad and how often they act with awareness.
A quick mindfulness warm-up or a father-involved goal sheet could give you more EF bang than extra worksheets.
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02At a glance
03Original abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Considering the important role of executive functions (EF) for adjustment across the lifespan, this study aimed to deepen understanding of protective/risk factors for EF in a potentially vulnerable population: adolescents with ADHD. This study compared adolescents with versus without ADHD for differences in EF, attachment relationships with fathers/mothers, and trait mindfulness and investigated these possible protective/risk factors' contributions to EF in both adolescent groups. METHODS: Ninth graders (N = 91; 49 boys, 42 girls) ages 14-15 years (M = 14.50, SD = 0.50) comprised 45 with ADHD and 46 with typical development (TD). Adolescents completed three self-reports (trait mindfulness, attachment to mother/father). Mothers rated their adolescents' ADHD symptoms and EF. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Significantly more maladaptive outcomes emerged for adolescents with ADHD than TD in their EF, attachment with mothers, and mindfulness. Regression analyses demonstrated the significant risk posed by ADHD symptoms and the protection offered by trait mindfulness and attachment with fathers in explaining EF. Discussion focused on understanding these protective/risk factors' possibly unique and complementary roles, suggesting interventions for adolescents with ADHD in family and school settings.
Research in developmental disabilities, 2022 · doi:10.1016/j.ridd.2022.104212