Food-Preparation Skills of Adults With ADHD and the Mediating Effect of Executive Functions

Adi Stern; Kineret Sharfi

doi:10.1177/15394492261459937

Food-Preparation Skills of Adults With ADHD and the Mediating Effect of Executive Functions

Adi Stern
, Kineret Sharfi

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Little is known about the relationships among attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms, food-preparation skills, executive functions (EFs), and quality of life (QoL) in adults. This study examined differences between adults with and without ADHD regarding food-preparation skills and their relationships with EFs and QoL. The study included 63 adults with ADHD (mean age = 39 ± 11 years) and 101 without ADHD (mean age = 43 ± 10 years). Participants completed standardized self-report measures of ADHD symptoms (Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale [ASRS]), food-preparation skills (Cooking and Food Provisioning Action Scale [CAFPAS]), EFs (Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function-Adult Version [BRIEF-A]), and QoL (World Health Organization Quality of Life [WHOQOL]). Adults with ADHD reported lower food-preparation self-efficacy (d = −0.47, p < .001). An integrated mediation model showed a differentiated pattern of indirect associations, with metacognitive abilities more consistently linked to food-preparation and behavioral regulation more salient for QoL. Results advance understanding of occupation by demonstrating how EFs mediate engagement in food preparation and suggest exploring additional factors influencing this daily activity.

Original language	English
Article number	15394492261459937
Journal	OTJR Occupation, Participation and Health
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1177/15394492261459937
State	Accepted/In press - 2026
Externally published	Yes

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s) 2026. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/) which permits non-commercial use, reproduction and distribution of the work without further permission provided the original work is attributed as specified on the SAGE and Open Access pages (https://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/open-access-at-sage).

Keywords

adult ADHD
executive functions
food preparation
quality of life

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Occupational Therapy

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10.1177/15394492261459937

Cite this

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abstract = "Little is known about the relationships among attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms, food-preparation skills, executive functions (EFs), and quality of life (QoL) in adults. This study examined differences between adults with and without ADHD regarding food-preparation skills and their relationships with EFs and QoL. The study included 63 adults with ADHD (mean age = 39 ± 11 years) and 101 without ADHD (mean age = 43 ± 10 years). Participants completed standardized self-report measures of ADHD symptoms (Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale [ASRS]), food-preparation skills (Cooking and Food Provisioning Action Scale [CAFPAS]), EFs (Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function-Adult Version [BRIEF-A]), and QoL (World Health Organization Quality of Life [WHOQOL]). Adults with ADHD reported lower food-preparation self-efficacy (d = −0.47, p < .001). An integrated mediation model showed a differentiated pattern of indirect associations, with metacognitive abilities more consistently linked to food-preparation and behavioral regulation more salient for QoL. Results advance understanding of occupation by demonstrating how EFs mediate engagement in food preparation and suggest exploring additional factors influencing this daily activity.",

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Food-Preparation Skills of Adults With ADHD and the Mediating Effect of Executive Functions

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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