Methylphenidate and attributions in boys with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.
In Experiment 1, 28 attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) boys underwent a double-blind, placebo-controlled medication assessment in a summer day-treatment program. Daily, boys were asked questions to assess their attributions for and evaluations of their behavior. Objective measures showed improved behavior with methylphenidate; however, boys tended to attribute their performance to effort rather than to medication, particularly when medicated. Experiment 2 involved 38 ADHD boys the following summer and replicated the procedures in Experiment 1, with the addition of a no-pill condition and a comparison of attributions for success and failure outcomes. Simply taking a pill (no-pill vs. placebo comparison) did not show significant effects, whereas the results of Experiment 1 were replicated with placebo-methylphenidate comparisons. Across drug conditions a self-enhancing attributional pattern was obtained; the majority of attributions for success were to ability or effort, whereas attributions for failure were to the pill or to counselors.
Pelham
William E
WE
U Pittsburgh, Western Psychiatric Inst & Clinic, PA.
Murphy
Debra A
DA
Vannatta
Kathryn
K
Milich
Richard
R
Licht
Barbara G
BG
Gnagy
Elizabeth M
EM
Greenslade
Karen E
KE
Greiner
Andrew R
AR
Vodde-Hamilton
Mary
M
D001288:Attention / Q000187:drug effects; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008297:Male; D008774:Methylphenidate / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010552:Personality Assessment; D011340:Problem Solving / Q000187:drug effects
D008774:Methylphenidate