However, the evidence for a distractibility factor has been limited, and most studies have not considered a comprehensive collection of different types of distraction—including some associated with ADHD.

To better understand different types of distraction and their potential relationship with ADHD, Zhang, and colleagues asked a total of 1,220 participants to complete an extensive series of questionnaires to evaluate their tendency to experience different kinds of distraction in their daily lives, such as difficulty concentrating with a TV on or losing oneself in daydreaming.

Exploring the Science of Distraction and Focus

The questionnaires also evaluated symptoms of ADHD and hyperfocus—a long-lasting state of intense concentration sometimes linked to ADHD.

Analysis of participants’ answers surfaced three key, distinct factors that could statistically explain patterns observed in the data: external distraction, unwanted intrusive thoughts, and mind-wandering.

The researchers found that the statistical relationships between these three factors could be accounted for by a single, higher-level factor—which they named the d factor.

Further analysis showed strong statistical links between the d factor and a person’s ADHD symptoms. The d factor was also linked to hyperfocus, suggesting that hyperfocus might, in part, reflect attention difficulties.

These findings could help lead to a better understanding of people’s distractibility and its relationship to ADHD.

The authors note the need for additional research to further explore the nature of the d factor and its links to ADHD, as well as the need to employ additional data-gathering methods, such as behavioral tasks or tests.

The authors add: “A critical finding of our study is the identification of a higher-order factor that could be construed to represent a general distractibility trait. People who score high on the ‘general distractibility’ trait are more easily distracted in many situations.”

Reference :

1. A d factor? Understanding trait distractibility and its relationships with ADHD symptomatology and hyperfocus
   – (https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0292215)

Source: Eurekalert