An empirical analysis of the relationship between adult attention deficit and efficacy for working in teams

Purpose – The purpose of this research is to investigate the relationship between adult attention deficit and efficacy for working in teams. Design/methodology/approach – A total of 181 management students working in short term project teams (13 weeks) completed established assessments of efficacy for working in teams and a multi‐dimensional measure of adult attention deficit. The hypotheses were tested using product moment correlations and multiple regression. Findings – Multiple regression provided support for the general hypothesis that adult attention deficit predicts lower efficacy for working in teams ( F (5, 176) = 7.31, p =0.00). All dimensions of adult attention deficit were significantly correlated with efficacy for teamwork ( r = −0.20 to −0.41), and the hypothesis that difficulty managing emotional interference uniquely predicts efficacy for teamwork was supported ( β: p =0.000). Research limitations/implications – Future research needs to include a variety of workplace teams. Practical implications – The strength of the results suggests that organizations implementing work teams need to be more aware of the effect of adult attention deficit on team member confidence and ability. Organizational development practices need to include interventions that assist the members with adult attention deficit. Originality/value – This research helps to raise awareness of the relationship between adult attention deficit and key organizational behaviors. This research is of value to researchers, managers, organizational development specialists and employees who are trying to develop effective ways of supporting employees who are struggling with adult attention deficit.