Within-Person and Between-Person Associations Between Self-Reported and Behavioral Executive Function in Women With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Symptoms

Assessment. 2026 Aug 24:10731911261477188. doi: 10.1177/10731911261477188. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Executive functioning (EF) impairments are central to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), yet correspondence between self-reported and performance-based EF measures is often modest. This discrepancy may be particularly relevant to women, who report greater impairment despite showing similar or fewer objective deficits. This study examined the correspondence between self-reported and performance-based working memory and response inhibition in women with ADHD symptoms. Women completed repeated EF assessments, including EF self-report items and performance-based cognitive tasks designed to engage working memory and inhibitory control. Associations were analyzed at the within- and between-person levels. Performance-based response inhibition showed modest but significant correspondence with self-reported inhibition at both within- (r = .093, p < .001) and between-person (r = .265, p = .010) levels. In contrast, working memory showed no significant between-person association (r = .115, p = .274) and only modest within-person associations (r = .098, p < .001). These findings suggest greater correspondence between self-reported and performance-based measures of response inhibition than working memory. Results highlight the importance of assessing distinct EF components and integrating subjective and performance-based measures when evaluating ADHD in women. State-sensitive assessments may improve detection of context-dependent difficulties and support personalized ADHD screening and intervention.

PMID:42638222 | DOI:10.1177/10731911261477188