Date of Award

8-26-2024

Document Type

Open Access Thesis

Degree Name

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

Dr. Abby Hughes-Scalise

Second Advisor

Dr. Marcia Bennett

Third Advisor

Dr. Gary Johnson

Abstract

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent patterns of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. The current study investigated the relationship between high beta brain wave activity, anxiety, emotion dysregulation, and comorbid mental health diagnoses in children with ADHD. Utilizing archival data from the Clinic for Attention, Learning, and Memory (CALM) in Minneapolis, MN, the study included 184 participants aged 6-14 years who underwent quantitative electroencephalogram (qEEG) assessments. The study utilized linear and logistic regressions to test three hypotheses: whether high beta activity predicted (1) increased anxiety symptoms, (2) emotion dysregulation, and (3) the likelihood of comorbid mental health diagnoses.

Results indicated that high beta activity significantly predicted increased anxiety symptoms when controlling for age, aligning with existing literature that associates high beta with anxiety and stress. However, high beta activity did not predict emotion dysregulation or the presence of comorbid mental health diagnoses. The findings suggest that high beta activity does not directly correlate with broader emotional dysregulation or comorbid conditions.

The study's limitations include a predominantly Caucasian sample from a single private practice, reliance on parent-reported measures, and the retrospective nature of the chart review. Future research should aim to include more diverse samples and consider longitudinal designs to better understand the causal relationships between high beta activity, anxiety, and emotion dysregulation. Clinically, the findings highlight the importance of comprehensive assessments for anxiety and emotion dysregulation in children with ADHD, particularly when considering treatment options such as stimulant medications, which may not be effective for those with high beta activity.

Identifier

SC 11.PsyD.2024.Carr.R.J.

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