THE URBAN BATTLEFIELD OF THE MIND: ENVIRONMENTAL INFLUENCE ON ADHD AND EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONS IN ADOLESCENTS.

This study examines the influence of urban environments on Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and executive function (EF) impairments in adolescents. Drawing from a school-based cohort of 1,260 students aged 11-18 in Kosovo, the research investigates how environmental stressors, gender, and parental education shape the severity and presentation of ADHD-related symptoms. Results indicate that adolescents living in urban areas exhibit significantly higher rates of EF impairments-particularly in behavioral, emotional, and cognitive regulation-compared to their rural peers. Notably, girls with ADHD displayed elevated emotional dysregulation scores, while lower paternal education emerged as a strong predictor of symptom severity. Urban adolescents also performed more poorly on Stroop and Go/No-Go tasks, indicating deficits in inhibition and cognitive control. These findings underscore the importance of incorporating environmental and socio-demographic variables into ADHD assessment and intervention protocols. ADHD should be conceptualized not only as a neurodevelopmental disorder but also as an ecologically embedded condition that reflects the broader psychosocial context of adolescence.