Investigating the Structural Model of the Effect of Problem-Solving Skills on Learning Difficulties by Separating Male and Female Students with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) with the Mediating Role of Social Cognition

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Psychology, Faculty of Education and Psychology, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

2 Instructor, Educational Sciences and Psychology, Payame Noor University,, Tehran, Iran

3 Department of Psychology, Boushehr Branch, Islamic Azad University, Boushehr.Iran

4 Department of Psychology, West Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

5 Department of Psychology, Khomein Branch, Islamic Azad University, Khomein, Iran

Abstract

Background: Neurodevelopmental disorders manifest as a range of conditions during development, impacting the brain's function, structure, and growth. 

Objectives: resulting in cognitive deficits and challenges in adaptation for children. This study examines how problem-solving skills contribute to learning disabilities in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, distinguishing between boys and girls and considering the mediating influence of social cognition.

Methods: The current study employed a descriptive-correlational approach with a cross-sectional research design, utilizing structural equation modeling (SEM) and multi-group analysis techniques. The study aimed to explore male and female students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in Tehran from July to October 2023. A sample of 134 adolescents was selected using purposive sampling. The research tools included the Problem-Solving Inventory (PSI), Colorado Learning Difficulties Questionnaire (CLDQ), and Student Social Cognition Questionnaire (SHAD). The researchers performed descriptive statistics analysis with SPSS version 27 and utilized SmartPLS version 4 for path analysis and Multi-Group Analysis (MGA). The study considered a significance level of 0.05.

Results: According to the research findings, Problem-solving skills had a significant negative impact on Learning Difficulties, with girls being affected more than boys. The difference between the two genders was statistically significant (p = 0.029). Further analysis revealed that Social cognition only acted as a mediator in reducing Learning Difficulties in girls. 

Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, it appears essential to focus on problem-solving skills to decrease learning disabilities and enhance social cognition in students diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Keywords


Acknowledgments: The author expresses gratitude and thanks to all those who participated in the research.

 

Availability of data and materials: The entire dataset is available as in a spreadsheet format in plutoF data repository.

 

Conflict of interest: There are no conflicts of interest.

 

Consent for publication: "We are providing our permission for the release of identifiable information, such as photographs, videos, case histories, and details within the text ("Material"), to be included in the mentioned Journal and Article."

 

Ethics approval and consent to participate: The research was conducted by first obtaining the necessary approvals from the researcher's university (I.R.IAU.CTB.REC.1402.121). The study was conducted in accordance with the principles of the Helsinki Declaration. Written informed consent was obtained from all participants

 

Financial disclosure : This research did not receive any grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or non-profit sectors.

 

Authors’ contribution: Zahra Kazemi and Sajad Jokar contributed to the conception of the work. Masoumeh Falah Nodehi, Ebrahim Abdoli, and Ali Ghaffari contributed to the study design, Zahra Kazemi and Sajad Jokar contributed to the data collection, Masoumeh Falah Nodehi contributed to the data analysis and writing the original draft, and all of the authors contributed in the review, editing and final Approval.

 

Open Access Policy: This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. To view a copy of this licence, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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