An experimental paradigm examining the influence of frustration on risk-taking behavior

Abstract

The present study examined the impact of frustration on risk-taking in college students with low and high ADHD symptomatology (L-ADHD and H-ADHD). Participants completed the Balloon Analogue Risk Task (BART) following induced frustration from a mood manipulation task (experimental session) and following no mood manipulation (control session). A manipulation check revealed a significant three-way interaction where the H-ADHD group reported higher frustration levels compared to the L-ADHD group, particularly in response to the frustration induction in the experimental condition. Primary results revealed that the L-ADHD group exploded significantly fewer balloons in the experimental condition compared to the control condition; there was a nonsignificant difference of balloon explosions across conditions for the H-ADHD group. The study provides initial laboratory-based support for the impact of frustration on the risk behavior of those with low and high levels of ADHD, with potential implications for future studies and ultimately for intervention.