Perception of emotional prosody in adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. (9th March 2017) - Kis, B.
Abstract : Objective: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is associated with social conflicts. The purpose of this study was to explore domains of social cognition in adult patients with ADHD. Methods: The assessment of social cognition was based on established neuropsychological tests: the Tübinger Affect Battery (TAB) for prosody and the Cambridge Behaviour Scale (CBS) for empathy. The performance of adults with ADHD ( N = 28) was compared with the performance of a control group ( N = 29) matched according to basic demographic variables. Results: Treatment‐naïve adults with ADHD showed deficits in emotional prosody ( P = 0.02) and in the ability to empathize ( P < 0.02) independent of executive functioning. In particular, their ability to perceive angry feelings was found to be compromised ( P = 0.04). When emotional prosody was considered in relation to facial expressions, patients and controls showed no impairments ( P > 0.2). No gender differences concerning social cognitive skills were detected. Conclusions: ADHD is associated with social cognition impairments involving both emotional prosody and empathy.