(Press-News.org) In a study of different types of distraction involving more than 1,000 participants, researchers statistically derived a novel measure—dubbed the “d factor”—that could represent a person’s general tendency towards distraction and may be linked with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Han Zhang of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and colleagues present these findings in the open-access journal PLOS ONE on October 25, 2023.
Prior research has explored various types of distraction, such as external stimulations, repetitive negative thinking, or daydreaming. Some research has suggested that vulnerability to different types of distraction could potentially be mathematically captured by an overarching “distractibility factor.” However, the evidence for a distractibility factor has been limited, and most studies have not considered a comprehensive collection of different types of distraction—including some associated with ADHD.
To better understand different types of distraction and their potential relationship with ADHD, Zhang and colleagues asked a total of 1,220 participants to complete an extensive series of questionnaires to evaluate their tendency to experience different kinds of distraction in their daily lives, such as difficulty concentrating with a TV on or losing oneself in daydreaming. The questionnaires also evaluated symptoms of ADHD and hyperfocus—a long-lasting state of intense concentration sometimes linked to ADHD.
Analysis of participants’ answers surfaced three key, distinct factors that could statistically explain patterns observed in the data: external distraction, unwanted intrusive thoughts, and mind-wandering. The researchers found that the statistical relationships between these three factors could be accounted for by a single, higher-level factor—which they named the d factor.
Further analysis showed strong statistical links between the d factor and a person’s ADHD symptoms. The d factor was also linked to hyperfocus, suggesting that hyperfocus might, in part, reflect attention difficulties.
These findings could help lead to better understanding of people’s distractibility and its relationship to ADHD. The authors note the need for additional research to further explore the nature of the d factor and its links to ADHD, as well as the need to employ additional data-gathering methods, such as behavioral tasks or tests.
The authors add: “A critical finding of our study is the identification of a higher-order factor that could be construed to represent a general distractibility trait. People who score high on the ‘general distractibility’ trait are more easily distracted in many situations.”
#####
In your coverage please use this URL to provide access to the freely available article in PLOS ONE: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0292215
Citation: Zhang H, Miyake A, Osborne J, Shah P, Jonides J (2023) A d factor? Understanding trait distractibility and its relationships with ADHD symptomatology and hyperfocus. PLoS ONE 18(10): e0292215. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0292215
Author Countries: USA
Funding: This work was supported by the National Science Foundation [grant number: 1658268] awarded to the University of Michigan with JJ as Principal Investigator and the National Institute of Mental Health (Unique Federal Award Identification Number (FAIN): R21MH129909) awarded to the University of Michigan with JJ as Principal Investigator. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.
END
New distractibility “d factor” may be linked with ADHD
New measure incorporates external distraction, intrusive thoughts and mind-wandering – and is also linked with an intense state of hyperfocus
2023-10-25
ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:
Deepfake videos during Russian invasion of Ukraine could undermine trust
2023-10-25
A new study explores themes in Twitter discussions of deepfake videos related to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, highlighting the potential for real videos to be mistaken for deepfakes and for deepfakes to fuel conspiracy theories. John Twomey of University College Cork, Ireland, and colleagues present these findings in the open-access journal PLOS ONE on October 25, 2023.
Created using artificial intelligence, deepfake videos typically feature a person saying and doing things they never actually did in real life. Deepfake technology has advanced considerably, sparking concerns about its potential harms. ...
In Prehispanic Cancun, immigrants were treated just like Maya locals
2023-10-25
Ancient people immigrated to Cancun Island and were treated just like locals, according to a study published October 25, 2023 in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by Andrea Cucina of the Autonomous University of Yucatan, Mexico and colleagues.
The Late Postclassic (AD 1200-1500) in the northern Maya lowlands was a period of major changes, including the development of many settlements along the east coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, influenced in part by expanded trade routes. Previous research has found that these settlements were home to many non-local individuals, but it remains unclear whether these people were treated as “foreigners” ...
Climate change likely impacted human populations in the Neolithic and Bronze Age
2023-10-25
Human populations in Neolithic Europe fluctuated with changing climates, according to a study published October 25, 2023 in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by Ralph Großmann of Kiel University, Germany and colleagues.
The archaeological record is a valuable resource for exploring the relationship between humans and the environment, particularly how each is affected by the other. In this study, researchers examined Central European regions rich in archaeological remains and geologic sources of climate data, using these resources to identify correlations between human population trends and climate change.
The ...
First ever study of wartime deepfakes reveals their impact on news media
2023-10-25
A first ever study of wartime deepfake videos reveals their impact on news media and outlines implications for social media companies, media organisations and governments.
Deepfakes are artificially manipulated audio-visual material. Most deepfake videos involve the production of a fake ‘face’ constructed by Artificial Intelligence, that is merged with an authentic video, in order to create a video of an event that never really took place. Although fake, they can look convincing and are often produced to imitate or mimic an individual.
Researchers at University ...
Anti-anxiety drug may improve brain cancer survival chances
2023-10-25
A new research study shows that cerebrospinal fluid reduces current treatment efficacy in brain cancer and identifies new therapeutic opportunities.
Cerebrospinal fluid, the clear colourless liquid that protects the brain, also may be a factor that makes brain cancers resistant to treatment, Australian researchers led by Associate Professor Cedric Bardy at the South Austraila Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) and Flinders University reveal in the journal Science Advances.
Reporting how this occurs, the study in high-profile journal Science Advances shows that a decades-old anti-anxiety drug can improve the effectiveness of chemo-radiotherapy ...
Something in the eyes: Java Sparrows in love show enhanced eye rings
2023-10-25
Pair-bonded Java sparrows show enlarged eye rings to signal breeding readiness.
Birds are known for their elaborate courtship rituals and romantic gestures that are replete with beautiful songs, complex dances, gift-giving practices, preening, and flamboyant plumage. While changes in colorful external attributes during this period has attracted much attention, the role of facial features remains an under-investigated aspect of this behavior.
Associate Professor Masayo Soma and her research group at the Graduate School of Science, Hokkaido University, reported increased swelling in Java sparrows’ eye rings—an area of blushed bare skin around the eyes—upon ...
New atrial fibrillation diagnosis may increase risk of memory decline
2023-10-25
Atrial fibrillation (AF) diagnosis was associated with a 45% increased risk of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) among a cohort of 4.3 million individuals in the UK, according to a new study published in JACC: Advances. These findings suggest that cardiovascular risk factors and multiple comorbidities could further the progression from MCI to dementia in this cohort.
MCI is an early stage of cognitive function decline. In some cases it can be reversed, but it can indicate development of early dementia-associated disease. There has not been sufficient research on the development of MCI in AF patients and the subsequent development of dementia, so the authors of this study sought to ...
Printable circularly polarized luminescence materials enables flexible, stereoscopic displaying
2023-10-25
Flexible three-dimensional (3D) displays drive innovation in the next-generation display technology, as they allow for the creation of versatile and adaptable displays that can be easily manipulated and customized to fit various viewing scenarios.
Printing circularly polarized luminescence (CPL, generated by the intrinsic chirality of luminescent materials) materials on moving, deformable and free-form surfaces serves to fabricate large-scale and high-performance integral imaging 3D displays: CPL provides a helping hand using its unusual optical rotation characteristics to achieve considerable contrast ratio and wide viewing angle.
Scientists led by Professor ...
Zika infection in pregnant macaques slows fetal growth
2023-10-25
Zika virus infection in pregnant rhesus macaques slows fetal growth and affects how infants and mothers interact in the first month of life, according to a new study from researchers at the California National Primate Research Center at the University of California, Davis. The work, published Oct. 25 in Science Translational Medicine, has implications for both humans exposed to Zika virus and for other viruses that can cross the placenta, including SARS-CoV2, responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Initially I thought this was a story about Zika, but as I looked at the results I think this is also a story about ...
Chloroplasts do more than photosynthesis: They’re also a key player in plant immunity
2023-10-25
Scientists have long known that chloroplasts help plants turn the sun’s energy into food, but a new study, led by plant biologists at the University of California, Davis, shows that they are also essential for plant immunity to viral and bacterial pathogens.
Chloroplasts are generally spherical, but a small percentage of them change their shape and send out tube-like projections called “stromules.” First observed over a century ago, the biological function of stromules has remained ...
LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:
Global analysis reveals how biochar supercharges composting and cuts greenhouse gases
Blocking a cellular switch could prevent lung-scarring disease
Planet formation depends on when it happens: UNLV model shows why
Deep sleep supports memory via brain fluid and neural rhythms
Biochar and iron additives show promise for reviving degraded peatlands and locking away carbon
Cancer cells reactivate embryo-like gene editors to fuel growth
AI analysis of world’s largest heart attack datasets opens way to new treatment strategies
Decoding dangers of Arctic sea ice with seismic, radar method
Counting bites with AI might one day help prevent childhood obesity
Utah chemists discover enzyme that could help build next-generation GLP-1 drugs
Surprising bacteria discovery links Hawaiʻi’s groundwater to the ocean
New grants for schools offer CPR training and resources to make campuses safer
30 NFL players urge fans to join Nation of Lifesavers, learn lifesaving CPR
Study finds humans outweigh climate in depleting Arizona's water supply
Old-school material could power quantum computing, cut data center energy use
Vanderbilt scientist tackles key roadblock for AI in drug discovery
Overheating bat boxes place bats in mortal danger during heatwaves
Study shows medical-legal partnerships aid recovery for patients with violent injuries
Learning the language of lasso peptides to improve peptide engineering
Social conflict among strongest predictors of teen mental health concerns
New framework can improve the planning stage of surgical quality improvement projects
Research shows anger, not fear, shifts political beliefs
Gale and Ira Drukier Prize in Children’s Health Research awarded to pediatric rheumatologist at Boston Children’s Hospital
UNF chemistry professor awarded NSF Grant to advance laser-based measurement technology
Research shows how Dust Bowl-type drought causes unprecedented productivity loss
Non-hibernating pikas' protein restriction tweaks their gut microbiome to help them survive the winter, when winter-active herbivores often struggle to find dietary protein
Not for hearing but for symbiosis
Disconnected cerebral hemisphere in epilepsy patients shows sleep-like state during wakefulness
Incentivizing risk to inspire investments in clean innovation for aviation
Stinkbug leg organ contains symbiotic fungi to shield eggs from parasitic wasps
[Press-News.org] New distractibility “d factor” may be linked with ADHDNew measure incorporates external distraction, intrusive thoughts and mind-wandering – and is also linked with an intense state of hyperfocus