Working memory and inattentive behaviour in a community sample of children.
BACKGROUND
Existing literature to date suggests a relationship between cognitive attention and working memory (WM), but the relationship between overt inattentive behaviour and WM is less clear. This study examined the relationship between WM and parent-rated inattentive behaviour in a community sample of 140 children aged 7-12 years.


METHODS
Children completed 2 clinical (laboratory-based) measures of WM (auditory-verbal and visual-spatial) and a measure of real-life WM, designed specifically for this study, while their parents completed questionnaires about their child's inattentive behaviour and other areas of functioning.


RESULTS
Findings indicated that poorer performance on WM tasks predicted inattentive behaviour.


CONCLUSIONS
These results are consistent with previous research linking WM deficits and poor attention in ADHD and normal populations. The present findings support a controlled attention model of WM.
Lui
Mariko
M
Human Development and Applied Psychology, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education of the University of Toronto, 252 Bloor Street West, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1V6, Canada. mlui@oise.utoronto.ca
Tannock
Rosemary
R