Effectiveness of Culturally Adapted Group CBT for ADHD Among Indian University Students: A Large-Scale Comparative Study from Greater Noida
Abstract
Background: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) persisting into adulthood is associated with academic and social impairment among university students in India. Culturally adapted, scalable psychological interventions remain limited. Objective: The present study examined the effectiveness of a culturally adapted 26-session group cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) program compared to a supportive academic group. Methods: A total of 674 university students aged 21-26 years who met DSM-5-TR criteria for ADHD participated from universities in Greater Noida. Two naturally formed institutional groups were included: Group CBT (n=337) and supportive academic group (n=337). ADHD symptoms were assessed using the Conners' Adult ADHD Rating Scale (CAARS) and executive functioning was evaluated with the NIMHANS Neuropsychological Battery at baseline, post-intervention (12 weeks), and at 3-month follow-up. Results: Compared to the supportive academic group, the Group CBT group showed significantly greater reductions in inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity and improvements in executive function at post-intervention (all p<.001). Gains were maintained at 3-month follow-up. Mean attendance was 89.3%. Conclusions: Culturally adapted group CBT is effective and scalable for Indian university students with ADHD. Keywords: ADHD, group CBT, executive function, university students, India, comparative study
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BibTeX
@misc{lovakumari2026effectiveness,
title = {{Effectiveness of Culturally Adapted Group CBT for ADHD Among Indian University Students: A Large-Scale Comparative Study from Greater Noida}},
author = {Dr Kadim Lovakumari and Prof Tosendra Dwivedi},
howpublished = {PsyArXiv},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.31234/osf.io/2rnvz_v1},
url = {https://osf.io/preprints/psyarxiv/2rnvz_v1/},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - UNPB
TI - Effectiveness of Culturally Adapted Group CBT for ADHD Among Indian University Students: A Large-Scale Comparative Study from Greater Noida
AU - Dr Kadim Lovakumari
AU - Prof Tosendra Dwivedi
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/08
PB - PsyArXiv
DO - 10.31234/osf.io/2rnvz_v1
UR - https://osf.io/preprints/psyarxiv/2rnvz_v1/
AB - Background: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) persisting into adulthood is associated with academic and social impairment among university students in India. Culturally adapted, scalable psychological interventions remain limited. Objective: The present study examined the effectiveness of a culturally adapted 26-session group cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) program compared to a supportive academic group. Methods: A total of 674 university students aged 21-26 years who met DSM-5-TR criteria for ADHD participated from universities in Greater Noida. Two naturally formed institutional groups were included: Group CBT (n=337) and supportive academic group (n=337). ADHD symptoms were assessed using the Conners' Adult ADHD Rating Scale (CAARS) and executive functioning was evaluated with the NIMHANS Neuropsychological Battery at baseline, post-intervention (12 weeks), and at 3-month follow-up. Results: Compared to the supportive academic group, the Group CBT group showed significantly greater reductions in inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity and improvements in executive function at post-intervention (all p<.001). Gains were maintained at 3-month follow-up. Mean attendance was 89.3%. Conclusions: Culturally adapted group CBT is effective and scalable for Indian university students with ADHD. Keywords: ADHD, group CBT, executive function, university students, India, comparative study
ER -