An empirical examination of the mediating influence of time management on the relationship between adult attention deficit and role stress

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to conduct an empirical examination of the mediating influence of time management (TM) on relationship between adult attention deficit (AAD) and role stress (RS). Design/methodology/approach – In total, 117 actively employed business graduate students completed a self-report measure of RS and identified two close associates, one of which completed an observer version of the Brown Attention Deficit Scale while the other complete an observer version of a TM measure. Product moment correlations were used to test the hypotheses that AAD, TM and RS were associated. The Sobel test of mediation was used to test the hypothesis that TM mediated the relationship between AAD and RS. Findings – AAD, TM and RS are associated with each other and TM partially mediates the relationship between AAD and RS. Research limitations/implications – Research study is limited by a measure of AAD that may not fully represent all the key symptom clusters and an indirect workplace sample. Further investigation of AAD symptoms, including potentially positive manifestations like entre/intrapreneurial cognition and behavior, is required to stabilize the content, structure and measurement of the construct. Practical implications – Organizations wishing to ensure timely completion of tasks and limit disruptive RS need to be aware of the influence of AAD. The provision of TM training, productivity management tools and an organized work space free of distractions is suggested for disordered employees. Various forms of organizational coaching including a peer coaching system may help disordered employees better manage both their time and their role. The effective design and management of teams represents a significant opportunity for effectively distributing the potential benefits of the disorder while managing deficits like poor TM and increased RS. Organizational development interventions that focus on TM and role (re)negotiation are suggested. Employee assistance programs that raise awareness and provide access to assessment are an important part of multimodal management of the disorder. Social implications – Increasing social, economic and legal pressures to provide reasonable accommodation for functional but disordered employees and take appropriate advantage of employee diversity underscores the general social value of this research. Originality/value – This research study is the first empirical examination of the mediating influence of TM on the relationship between AAD and RS. The results are of value to researchers, organizational development specialists, human resource management specialists, managers and employees who are seeking effective multimodal management of the disorder in the workplace.

Treatment provision for adults with ADHD during the COVID-19 pandemic: an exploratory study on patient and therapist experience with on-site sessions using face masks vs. telepsychiatric sessions

“…On the other hand, however, in addition to the advantages of telepsychiatry already discussed above, telepsychiatric interventions could also counteract the negative effects of patients’ disorganisation, e.g. by saving travel time and thus alleviating experiences of stress due to difficulties in time management [ 53 ]. Furthermore, adults with ADHD may experience a range of financial problems [ 54 ], and telepsychiatry would allow those affected to save on costs associated with traveling to the therapy sessions.…”

Recommendations for occupational therapy interventions for adults with ADHD: a consensus statement from the UK adult ADHD network

“…Workers with ADHD had an average 8.4 excess sickness absence days per year and even higher annualised average excess numbers of work days associated with reduced work quantity (21.7 days) and quality (13.6 days). In addition to this, ADHD has been associated with increased absenteeism [34,35], impaired organisational skills [36] and abilities [37] and poor time management [38].…”

Treatment provision for adults with ADHD during the COVID-19 pandemic: An exploratory study on patient and therapist experience with on-site sessions using face masks vs. telepsychiatric sessions

“…On the other hand, telepsychiatric interventions could counteract the negative effects of patients’ disorganisation, e.g. by saving travel time and thus alleviating experiences of stress due to difficulties in time management [52]. Furthermore, adults with ADHD may experience a range of financial problems [53], and telepsychiatry would allow those affected to save on costs associated with traveling to the therapy sessions.…”