title: Validation of the Mind Excessively Wandering Scale and the Relationship of Mind Wandering to Impairment in Adult ADHD.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study investigates excessive mind wandering (MW) in adult ADHD using a new scale: the Mind Excessively Wandering Scale (MEWS).
  
  
  METHODS
  Data from two studies of adult ADHD was used in assessing the psychometric properties of the MEWS. Case-control differences in MW, the association with ADHD symptoms, and the contribution to functional impairment were investigated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The MEWS functioned well as a brief measure of excessive MW in adult ADHD, showing good internal consistency (α > .9), and high sensitivity (.9) and specificity (.9) for the ADHD diagnosis, comparable with that of existing ADHD symptom rating scales. Elevated levels of MW were found in adults with ADHD, which contributed to impairment independently of core ADHD symptom dimensions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings suggest excessive MW is a common co-occurring feature of adult ADHD that has specific implications for the functional impairments experienced. The MEWS has potential utility as a screening tool in clinical practice to assist diagnostic assessment.
authors.affiliation: 1 Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, UK.
authors.forename: Florence D
authors.initials: FD
authors.lastname: Mowlem
authors.affiliation: 1 Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, UK.
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Skirrow
authors.affiliation: 1 Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, UK.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Reid
authors.affiliation: 1 Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, UK.
authors.forename: Stefanos
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Maltezos
authors.affiliation: 1 Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, UK.
authors.forename: Simrit K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Nijjar
authors.affiliation: 1 Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, UK.|2 Department of Psychology, University of Bath, UK.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Merwood
authors.affiliation: 1 Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, UK.
authors.forename: Edward
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Barker
authors.affiliation: 1 Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, UK.
authors.forename: Ruth
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cooper
authors.affiliation: 1 Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, UK.
authors.forename: Jonna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kuntsi
authors.affiliation: 1 Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, UK.
authors.forename: Philip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Asherson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology*; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D056344:Executive Function / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008570:Memory, Short-Term; D064866:Mindfulness; D055816:Wandering Behavior
keywords: ADHD; functional impairment; mental restlessness; mind wandering; task-unrelated thoughts (TUTs)