The link between ADHD, mind wandering, and creativity

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a prevalent neurodevelopmental condition characterized by age-inappropriate levels of inattentiveness or hyperactivity and impulsivity (American Psychiatric Association & Association, 2013). Research indicates that individuals with ADHD have difficulties in various domains, including academic, occupational, and social functioning (Faraone et al., 2021). Despite the predominant focus on ADHD-related impairments, recent studies have identified that many adults with ADHD experience positive aspects related to their ADHD (Schippers et al., 2022; Sedgwick et al., 2019). Among these positive aspects, creativity, and especially its divergent thinking aspect, is most frequently reported as a positive aspect and also quantitative evidence exists in relation to ADHD (Hoogman et al., 2020; Stolte et al., 2022). However, little attention has been given to examining the underlying factors linking ADHD and creativity.

One potential factor that might play a role in the association between ADHD and creativity is mind wandering, often defined as a shift of attention away from an ongoing task toward intrinsically task-unrelated thoughts (Smallwood & Schooler, 2006). Previous research has revealed associations between mind wandering and both inattentiveness and hyperactivity/impulsivity, which are the two core ADHD trait dimensions (Frick et al., 2020). Concurrently, positive effects of mind wandering on divergent thinking, especially during the creative incubation period, have been reported (Baird et al., 2012; Xie et al., 2023). Therefore, introducing mind wandering as a mediator may offer a more comprehensive understanding of the relationship between ADHD and creativity.

However, controversial conclusions emerge from recent research. For instance, Figueiredo et al. (2020) found no differences in mind wandering between ADHD and non-ADHD groups. Another example is the series of conceptual replications conducted by Murray et al., which, contrary to the findings of Baird et al. (2012), failed to demonstrate the facilitating effects of mind wandering during a creative incubation interval on divergent creativity (Murray et al., 2021). Moreover, while mind wandering is associated with certain benefits (Smallwood & Andrews-Hanna, 2013), it has also been correlated with negative outcomes, including deficient working memory, emotional dysregulation, and functional impairments independently of ADHD symptoms (Frick et al., 2020; Mowlem et al., 2019).

The heterogeneous nature of mind wandering may contribute to these contradictory results. While distinguishing between subtypes of mind wandering can be achieved in various ways, ‘intentionality’ stands out as a crucial dimension. In terms of intentionality, mind wandering can be categorized into two subtypes: deliberate mind wandering and spontaneous mind wandering (Smallwood & Schooler, 2015). To elaborate, deliberate mind wandering involves an intentional, controlled shift of attention to internal thoughts, while spontaneous mind wandering refers to an unintentional, uncontrolled shift of attention to internal thoughts. Studies differentiating deliberate and spontaneous mind wandering found that spontaneous mind wandering was more associated with ADHD traits than deliberate mind wandering (Seli et al., 2015; Smith et al., 2022). Moreover, research exploring the relationship between creativity and deliberate or spontaneous mind wandering indicated that deliberate mind wandering positively correlated with originality—a component of divergent thinking ability (Agnoli et al., 2018; Teng & Lien, 2022).

While these findings suggest that different forms of mind wandering, in terms of intentionality, may have varying influences on the link between ADHD and creativity and functional impairments experienced by ADHD individuals, no study to date has specifically explored the distinct roles of deliberate and spontaneous mind wandering in the relationship between ADHD trait dimensions and creativity and functional impairments of ADHD individuals. To investigate the underlying factors of the association between ADHD and creativity, it is necessary to integrate these research fields. Therefore, the main aims of the present study are: (1) to investigate the relationship between ADHD and deliberate and spontaneous mind wandering; and (2) to explore the role of mind wandering in the relationship between ADHD and creativity. Additionally, we have three sub-aims: (1) to confirm the association between ADHD and creativity; (2) to examine the difference in the link between mind wandering and creativity for people with ADHD versus people without ADHD; (3) to investigate the role of mind wandering in the link between ADHD and functional impairments experienced by people with ADHD. Research in this combined field has the potential to illuminate the cognitive mechanisms underlying the link between ADHD and creativity among adults and to understand better the role of mind wandering in impairments experienced in people with ADHD.