ELAS - ENG

Everyday Life Attention Scale (ELAS)

Authors:
Groen Y., Fuermaier A.B.M., Tucha L., & Tucha O.; University of Groningen, the Netherlands
Aschenbrenner S., Weisbrod M.; SRH Clinic Karlsbad-Langensteinbach, Germany

This questionnaire sketches nine situations in everyday life (reading a book, watching television,
performing an indoor activity/hobby, attending a verbal presentation, having a conversation, carrying
out an assignment/administration, cooking a meal, tidying up, driving a car). When reading the
description of the situation, please imagine an average week or day where you come across a similar
situation. The questions beneath each described situation refer to that specific situation. Whenever a
new situation is described, the questions pertain to the new situation.

We ask you to mentally visualize the situations as much as you can and to mark an answer even if
you do not regularly experience such a situation.

Original articles:
Development and psychometric properties:
Groen, Y., Fuermaier, A.B.M., Tucha, L., Weisbrod, M., Aschenbrenner, S., & Tucha, O. (2019). A
situation-specific approach to measure attention in adults with ADHD: The everyday life attention scale
(ELAS). Applied Neuropsychology: Adult. 26(5), 411-440. doi: 10.1080/23279095.2018.1437730

Normative data:
Fuermaier, A.B.M., Groen, Y., Tucha, L., Weisbrod, M., Aschenbrenner, S., & Tucha, O. (2019). The
Everyday Life Attention Scale (ELAS): Normative data of n = 1874 Dutch participants. Applied
Neuropsychology: Adult. doi: 10.1080/23279095.2019.1605994
 ELAS - ENG

Situation A

You are reading a book of average interest (if you never read a book imagine reading something
else like an abstract, manual or guidelines ) and you have 2 hours to engage in this.

A0. Are you able to evaluate this situation?

 Yes, I can evaluate this situation and continue with completing all questions.
 No, I never encounter this situation and skip all questions of this situation.

A1. How long (in minutes) can you engage in this without interruption (so without a break or mind
wandering)?

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90 95 100 105 110 115 120

A2, A3:
0 = Unable to focus on the task
50 = Focus on the task is about 50%
100 = Fully able to focus on the task (i.e. 100%)

A2. How well can you focus on this?

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

A3. How well can you focus on this if there is distraction around you (e.g. children playing)?

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

A4. How motivated are you to perform the task well (so to take in all details)?
0 =Not motivated to perform well at all
50 = Somewhat motivated to perform the task well (i.e. 50%)
100 = Fully motivated to perform the task well (i.e. 100%)

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
 ELAS - ENG

Situation B

You want to see a movie or documentary of average interest that lasts for 2 hours.

B0. Are you able to evaluate this situation?

 Yes, I can evaluate this situation and continue with completing all questions.
 No, I never encounter this situation and skip all questions of this situation.

B1. How long (in minutes) can you engage in this without interruption (so without a break or mind
wandering)?

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90 95 100 105 110 115 120

B2-B4:
0 = Unable to focus on the task
50 = Focus on the task is about 50%
100 = Fully able to focus on the task (i.e. 100%)

B2. How well can you focus on this?

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

B3. How well can you focus on this if there is distraction around you (e.g. children playing)?

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

B4. How well can you focus on the task if you have to do something else at the same time (e.g.
talking to a friend about a different subject)?

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

B5. How motivated are you to perform the task well (so to take in all details)?
0 = Not motivated to perform well at all
50 = Somewhat motivated to perform the task well (i.e. 50%)
100 = Fully motivated to perform the task well (i.e. 100%)

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
 ELAS - ENG

Situation C

You have 2 hours to perform an indoor activity of average interest (e.g. board game, handcrafting,
solving a puzzle).

C0. Are you able to evaluate this situation?

 Yes, I can evaluate this situation and continue with completing all questions.
 No, I never encounter this situation and skip all questions of this situation.

C1. How long (in minutes) can you engage in this without interruption (so without a break or mind
wandering)?

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90 95 100 105 110 115 120

C2-C4:
0 = Unable to focus on the task
50 = Focus on the task is about 50%
100 = Fully able to focus on the task (i.e. 100%)

C2. How well can you focus on this?

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

C3. How well can you focus on this if there is distraction around you (e.g. children playing)?

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

C4. How well can you focus if you have to do something else at the same time (e.g. talking to a
friend about a different subject)?

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

C5. How motivated are you to perform the task well (perform everything in detail)?
0 = Not motivated to perform well at all
50 = Somewhat motivated to perform the task well (i.e. 50%)
100 = Fully motivated to perform the task well (i.e. 100%)

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
 ELAS - ENG

Situation D

You are attending a lecture or open evening of average interest which lasts for 2 hours.

D0. Are you able to evaluate this situation?

 Yes, I can evaluate this situation and continue with completing all questions.
 No, I never encounter this situation and skip all questions of this situation.

D1. How long (in minutes) can you engage in this without interruption (so without mind
wandering)?

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90 95 100 105 110 115 120

D2-D4:
0 = Unable to focus on the task
50 = Focus on the task is about 50%
100 = Fully able to focus on the task (i.e. 100%)

D2. How well can you focus on this?

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

D3. How well can you focus on this if there is distraction around you (e.g. other people talking to
each other)?

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

D4. How well can you focus if you have to do something else at the same time (e.g. texting a
friend)?

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

D5. How motivated are you to perform the task well (so to take in all details)?
0 = Not motivated to perform well at all
50 = Somewhat motivated to perform the task well (i.e. 50%)
100 = Fully motivated to perform the task well (i.e. 100%)

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
 ELAS - ENG

Situation E

You are having a conversation with a person of average interest for which you have 2 hours of
time.

E0. Are you able to evaluate this situation?

 Yes, I can evaluate this situation and continue with completing all questions.
 No, I never encounter this situation and skip all questions of this situation.

E1. How long (in minutes) can you engage in this without interruption (so without a break or mind
wandering)?

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90 95 100 105 110 115 120

E2-E4:
0 = Unable to focus on the task
50 = Focus on the task is about 50%
100 = Fully able to focus on the task (i.e. 100%)

E2. How well can you focus on this?

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

E3. How well can you focus on this if there is distraction around you (e.g. children playing)?

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

E4. How well can you focus if you have to do something else at the same time (e.g. texting a
friend)?

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

E5. How motivated are you to perform the task well (so to take in all details)?
0 = Not motivated to perform well at all
50 = Somewhat motivated to perform the task well (i.e. 50%)
100 = Fully motivated to perform the task well (i.e. 100%)

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
 ELAS - ENG

Situation F

You have 2 hours to work on an assignment of average interest, which consists of several steps and
requires you to think (e.g. administration or an assignment for a training).

F0. Are you able to evaluate this situation?

 Yes, I can evaluate this situation and continue with completing all questions.
 No, I never encounter this situation and skip all questions of this situation.

F1. How long (in minutes) can you engage in this without interruption (so without a break or mind
wandering)?

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90 95 100 105 110 115 120

F2-F4:
0 = Unable to focus on the task
50 = Focus on the task is about 50%
100 = Fully able to focus on the task (i.e. 100%)

F2. How well can you focus on this?

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

F3. How well can you focus on this if there is distraction around you (e.g. children playing)?

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

F4. How well can you focus if you have to do something else at the same time (e.g. texting a
friend)?

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

F5. How motivated are you to perform the task well (perform everything in detail)?
0 = Not motivated to perform well at all
50 = Somewhat motivated to perform the task well (i.e. 50%)
100 = Fully motivated to perform the task well (i.e. 100%)

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
 ELAS - ENG

Situation G

You are preparing a meal for some people visiting you (meat/vegetables/potatoes).

G0. Are you able to evaluate this situation?

 Yes, I can evaluate this situation and continue with completing all questions.
 No, I never encounter this situation and skip all questions of this situation.

G1-G4:
0 = Unable to focus on the task
50 = Focus on the task is about 50%
100 = Fully able to focus on the task (i.e. 100%)

G1. How well can you focus on this?

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

G2. How well can you focus on this if there is distraction around you (e.g. children playing)?

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

G3. How well can you focus if you have to do something else at the same time (e.g. talking to a
friend about a different subject)?

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

G4. How motivated are you to perform the task well (perform everything in detail)?
0 = Not motivated to perform well at all
50 = Somewhat motivated to perform the task well (i.e. 50%)
100 = Fully motivated to perform the task well (i.e. 100%)

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
 ELAS - ENG

Situation H

Your home is a mess and you decide it is time to start tidying up. You have 2 hours.

H0. Are you able to evaluate this situation?

 Yes, I can evaluate this situation and continue with completing all questions.
 No, I never encounter this situation and skip all questions of this situation.

H1. How long (in minutes) can you engage in this without interruption (so without a break or mind
wandering)?

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90 95 100 105 110 115 120

H2-H4:
0 = Unable to focus on the task
50 = Focus on the task is about 50%
100 = Fully able to focus on the task (i.e. 100%)

H2. How well can you focus on this?

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

H3. How well can you focus on this if there is distraction around you (e.g. children playing)?

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

H4. How well can you focus if you have to do something else at the same time (e.g. texting a
friend)?

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

H5. How motivated are you to perform the task well (perform everything in detail)?
0 = Not motivated to perform well at all
50 = Somewhat motivated to perform the task well (i.e. 50%)
100 = Fully motivated to perform the task well (i.e. 100%)

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
 ELAS - ENG

Situation I

You are driving a car to a destination you have never been before.

I0. Are you able to evaluate this situation?

 Yes, I can evaluate this situation and continue with completing all questions.
 No, I never encounter this situation and skip all questions of this situation.

I1. How long (in minutes) can you engage in this without interruption (so without a break or mind
wandering)?

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90 95 100 105 110 115 120

I2-I4:
0 = Unable to focus on the task
50 = Focus on the task is about 50%
100 = Fully able to focus on the task (i.e. 100%)

I2. How well can you focus on this?

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

I3. How well can you focus on this if there is distraction around you (e.g. children playing)?

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

I4. How well can you focus if you have to do something else at the same time (e.g. texting a
friend)?

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

I5. How motivated are you to perform the task well (perform everything in detail)?
0 = Not motivated to perform well at all
50 = Somewhat motivated to perform the task well (i.e. 50%)
100 = Fully motivated to perform the task well (i.e. 100%)

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100