A systematic review of prospective studies on attention problems and academic achievement
Abstract
Polderman TJC, Boomsma DI, Bartels M, Verhulst FC, Huizink AC. A systematic review of prospective studies on attention problems and academic achievement. Objective: Our aim was to provide an overview of prospective studies that have addressed the association between attention problems (AP, i.e. symptoms of hyperactivity and inattentiveness) and academic achievement (AA). Method: We conducted a systematic search in the literature. Normal population studies and clinical studies were included. The methodological quality of each study was evaluated by objective criteria. A best evidence synthesis was used to determine the strengths of the association. Results: Sixteen studies were included. We found convincing evidence for a negative association between AP and AA. After controlling for intelligence, comorbidity, and socioeconomic status (SES), the association between the hyperactive symptoms of AP and AA was non‐significant in two studies. Conclusion: Children with AP are at risk for lower AA and subsequent adverse outcomes later in life. Interventions in affected children should focus on their behavioural and educational development.
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The significant association of childhood ADHD with reduced educational attainment is consistent with a meta-analysis, but no previous research on educational attainment and persistence of childhood ADHD into adulthood was known to the authors.
“The significant association of childhood ADHD with reduced educational attainment is consistent with the results of a meta-analysis (Polderman et al. 2010), but we are unaware of any previous research on educational attainment and persistence of childhood ADHD into adulthood”
From The descriptive epidemiology of DSM-IV adult ADHD in the world health organization world mental health surveys (2017) · cites this paper as Polderman et al. 2010
An inverse association between parental SES and childhood ADHD is expected by virtue of the high heritability of childhood ADHD along with an association of ADHD with low socioeconomic attainment.
“we would expect an inverse association with parental SES by virtue of the high heritability of childhood ADHD (Posthuma and Polderman 2013) along with an association of ADHD with low socioeconomic attainment (Polderman et al. 2010)”
From The descriptive epidemiology of DSM-IV adult ADHD in the world health organization world mental health surveys (2017) · cites this paper as Polderman et al. 2010
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Self-citation
- Authors
- Polderman, T. J. C., Boomsma, D. I., Bartels, M., Verhulst, F. C., & Huizink, A. C.
- Affiliations
- Erasmus MC (NL)
- Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (NL)
- Corresponding author
- Polderman, T. J. C.
- Venue
- Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2010-09
- Volume
- 122
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 271-284
- ISSN
- 0001-690X (ISSN-L)
- 1600-0447
- OpenAlex
- W2166550047
- Cited by
- 303
- References
- 13
- Citations by year
- 2026: 15 · 2025: 18 · 2024: 13 · 2023: 24 · 2022: 27 · 2021: 22 · 2020: 32 · 2019: 13 · 2018: 16 · 2017: 18 · 2016: 24 · 2015: 28 · 2014: 13 · 2013: 7 · 2012: 22
- FWCI
- 1.75
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- UvA-DARE (University of Amsterdam) (publishedVersion)
- EUR Research Repository (Erasmus University Rotterdam) (publishedVersion)
- VU Research Portal (publishedVersion)
- EUR Research Repository (Erasmus University Rotterdam) (submittedVersion)
- Digital Academic REpository of VU University Amsterdam (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam) (submittedVersion)
- UvA-DARE (University of Amsterdam) (submittedVersion)
- Radboud Repository (Radboud University) (submittedVersion)
- Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institute of Mental Health (R01MH58799‐03, R01MH058799)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology › Developmental and Educational Neuropsychology
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development
- Keywords
- attention deficits, academic performance, hyperactivity, inattention, children, comorbidities, socioeconomic status, intelligence, educational outcomes
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Age Factors, Attention, Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Child, Child, Preschool, Education, Special, Educational Status, Female, Humans, Impulsive Behavior, Intelligence, Interview, Psychological, Learning, Male, Prospective Studies, Surveys and Questionnaires, Sex Factors, Evidence-Based Medicine, Young Adult
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