A – 30 Processing Speed Deficits Influences Mexican-Americans with ADHD Executive Function

Abstract Objective We examined executive functioning (EF) differences in a attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) Mexican-American population with and without intact processing speed (PS) abilities. Method Forty-nine participants with ADHD were divided into two groups: intact PS and PS deficits. Participants completed a comprehensive neuropsychological battery in English. Five PS measures were used to create our two groups by summing demographic adjusted T-scores and dividing it by five. Per deficit score criteria, participants with intact PS performance (T > 40) across all PS tests were assigned to the intact PS group and participants with any deficit PS performance (T < 40) across all PS tests were assigned to the PS deficits group. Mann Whitney U Tests were used to evaluate EF performances (i.e., Stroop Color-Word, Trail Making Test part B, & Phonemic and Semantic Fluency). Results We found significant differences between our groups on several mean ranks. Specifically, the intact PS group had significantly higher mean rank on Stroop Color-Word task (z = -3.60; p = .000) and the Trail Making Test part B task (z = -2.28; p = .011) compared to the PS deficit group. No significant mean ranks were found between PS on either verbal fluency task. Conclusion Intact PS Mexican-Americans diagnosed with ADHD demonstrated better EF abilities in contrast to their counterparts, indicating that PS deficits facilitated executive dysfunction. Future research should explore whether cultural factors contribute to the development of PS deficits in ADHD patients. Taking into account cultural values can provide clinicians deeper insights into cognitive outcomes in a Mexican-American ADHD population.