Reading mind from the eyes in individuals with attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): A meta-analysis

ABSTRACT

Objectives

Individuals with ADHD struggle with social impairments. The present study aimed to find out the inconsistent results of theory of mind skill in individuals with ADHD.

Methods

The current meta-analysis reviewed 17 empirical studies that compared theory of mind in individuals with and without ADHD based on reading mind from the eyes test (RMET).

Results

Finding from 1620 participants with ADHD and 1249 healthy controls showed a significant impairment in theory of mind in individuals with ADHD (Hedges’ g = 0.66). Moderator analyses indicated that the impaired theory of mind was not affected by age and gender.

Conclusion

These findings describe impaired theory of mind in individuals with ADHD and provide an insight to pay attention to theory of mind in respective clinical assessments and treatments.

KEYWORDS:

• Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• meta-analysis
• social cognition
• theory of mind
• reading mind from the eyes test (RMET)

Declaration of interest

The author has no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Reviewer Disclosures

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose

Additional information

Funding

This paper was not funded