Effect of mindfulness therapy on attention deficit among adolescents with symptoms of attention deficit disorder

Pages: 1165-1172
Soamya and Sandeep Singh (Department of Applied Psychology, Guru Jambheshwar University of Science & Technology, Hisar, Haryana)

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder is a complex disorder with diverse challenges arising at each new phase of a child’s developmental span. The clinical presentation of ADHD consists of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. The American Psychiatric Association 2013 documented ADHD as “impairing disorder”. There is a growing body of research on the effectiveness of mindfulness for children and adolescents with psychopathology reported by Black et al. (2009); Burke (2010). Jon Kabat Zinn (2003) described mindfulness as the awareness that emerges through paying attention on purpose, in the present moment, and nonjudgmental to the unfolding of experiences moment by moment. The rationale for using a mindfulness therapy with ADHD is built on several levels of potential impact, that the mindfulness based therapy focuses on the ability to enhance, control attention and to reduce automatic responses Teasdale et al. (1995). The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of six months mindfulness therapy on attention deficit of adolescents manifesting symptoms of ADHD. Sample: The target sample of the study comprises of 33 adolescent with the age group of 13 to 16 years of private schools. The sample in the present study was assessed for attention deficit by different measures. The D2 Attention by Brickenkamp and Zillmer (1998) was administered to measure sustained and focuses attention. The symptom of inattention was measured by Conner’s 3 parent rating scale by Conners (2008) and further attention again was assessed with Brown’s ADD Scales by Brown (2001). The outcome of the present study was analyzed by applying paired t- test on [pair 1 (baseline and middle phase), pair 2 (middle and post) and pair 3 (baseline & post)]. The finding of the present study indicates the considerable improvement on the alertness, attention, concentration and focus. The practice of mindfulness based therapy strengthens the ability to sustain and monitor the attention. The outcome of the present study is also consistent with the findings of Heeren and Philippot (2011); Semple (2010), that the mindfulness therapy enhances performance on the executive functioning such as attention, working memory and cognitive control. The evidence suggesting the potential benefits of mindfulness interventions with adolescents manifesting symptoms of attention deficits.