Self-regulation in ADHD: the role of error processing
Open accessAbstract
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is characterized by persistent and impairing developmentally inappropriate levels of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Such behavioral dysregulation may be a consequence of deficits in self-monitoring or adaptive control, both of which are required for adaptive behavior. Processing of contextual demands, ongoing monitoring of one's behavior to evaluate whether it is appropriate for a particular situation, and adjusting behavior when it is suboptimal are components of self-regulation. This review examines and integrates the emerging literature on error-processing and adaptive control as components of self-regulation into the prominent etiological theories of ADHD. Available data on error-processing, as reflected in event-related potentials (ERN and Pe) and behavioral performance, suggest that both early error detection and later error-evaluation may be diminished in ADHD, thereby interfering with adaptive control processes. However, variability in results limit broad conclusions, particularly for early error detection. A range of methodological issues, including ERP parameters and sample and task characteristics, likely contribute to this variability, and recommendations for future work are presented. The emerging literature on error-processing and adaptive control informs etiological theories of ADHD in general and may provide a method for testing self-regulation models in particular.
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Studies included in this review indicate that impaired error processing previously reported in ADHD is reflected in weaker ANS responses to errors.
“Moreover, studies included in this review indicate that impaired error processing reportedly previously in ADHD (Shiels and Hawk, 2010) is reflected in weaker ANS responses to errors.”
From Is autonomic nervous system function atypical in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)? A systematic review of the evidence (2020) · cites this paper as Shiels and Hawk, 2010
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- Authors
- Shiels, K., & Hawk, L. W.
- Affiliations
- University at Buffalo, State University of New York (US)
- Corresponding author
- Shiels, Keri
- ORCID
- Hawk, Larry W.
- Venue
- Clinical Psychology Review
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2010-12
- Volume
- 30
- Issue
- 8
- Pages
- 951-961
- ISSN
- 0272-7358 (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC2952677
- OpenAlex
- W1978153677
- Cited by
- 189
- References
- 118
- Citations by year
- 2026: 9 · 2025: 11 · 2024: 9 · 2023: 9 · 2022: 11 · 2021: 12 · 2020: 19 · 2019: 17 · 2018: 16 · 2017: 12 · 2016: 12 · 2015: 11 · 2014: 10 · 2013: 13 · 2012: 12
- FWCI
- 1.45
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Locations
- Clinical Psychology Review (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
- Funders
- University at Buffalo
- National Institute of Mental Health (R01MH069434)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology › Developmental and Educational Neuropsychology
- Keywords
- attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, self-regulation, error processing, adaptive control, self-monitoring, error-related negativity, P300, behavioral dysregulation, inattention, impulsivity, hyperactivity, event-related potentials
- MeSH terms
- Adaptation, Psychological, Attention, Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Awareness, Brain, Child, Evoked Potentials, Female, Humans, Inhibition, Psychological, Internal-External Control, Male, Neuropsychological Tests, Problem Solving, Psychomotor Performance, Social Control, Informal
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