B-06: The Moderating Effect of Learning Disorders and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactive Disorder on Depressive and Anxious Symptoms and Working Memory

Abstract

Objective: Depressive and anxious symptoms are associated with working memory, yet it is unclear how comorbid diagnoses of learning disabilities (LDs) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) relates to that association. This study examined if symptom severity is associated with working memory performance in college students and if the three diagnostic groups (LDs vs ADHD vs comorbid) moderates the association between symptom severity and working memory. Method/Data Selection: Participants' (n = 353) diagnoses and Working Memory Index (WMI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and Beck Depression Inventory - Second Edition (BDI-2) scores were extracted from cognitive testing batteries at a southeastern testing center. To test for association, two bivariate correlations were conducted with BAI, BDI-2, and WMI scores. Two two-way ANOVAs (2x3) examined the moderation effect of diagnosis on the association between the predictor variables, BAI and BDI-2 score severity (non-clinical vs clinical), and outcome variable, WMI score. Results/Data Synthesis: There was a significant positive correlation between BDI-2 and WMI scores (r(353) = .11, p = .045). Additionally, there were significant main effects for diagnosis across depressive (F(2, 347) = 24.75, p < .001, partial η2 = .13) and anxious levels (F(2, 347) = 25.21, p < .001, partial η2 = .13); and a significant interaction between anxiety and diagnosis (F(2, 347) = 4.67, p = .010, partial η2 = .03). Conclusions: This study found WMI scores are higher for individuals diagnosed with only ADHD or comorbid diagnoses when experiencing clinically anxious symptoms. Therefore, it may be helpful to account for mood and type of diagnoses when interpreting scores on working memory tests.