title: Self-handicapping prior to academic-oriented tasks in children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): medication effects and comparisons with controls.
abstract: Examined self-handicapping prior to academic-oriented tasks in children with and without ADHD and examined whether stimulant medication influenced self-handicapping. Participants were 61 children ages 6 to 13, including 22 children with ADHD tested after taking a placebo, 21 children with ADHD tested after taking stimulant medication, and 18 non-ADHD controls. Participants completed three measures of self handicapping and also completed self-evaluations of their performance. Results showed greater self handicapping and more positive self-evaluations in children with ADHD than in controls regardless of medication condition. Findings suggest children with ADHD may use self handicapping to ameliorate the effects of experiencing high rates of academic failure.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Pediatrics and Psychology, University at Buffalo-State University of New York, Center for Children and Families, 3435 Main Street, Building 20, Buffalo, NY 14214, USA. dw35@buffalo.edu
authors.forename: Daniel A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Waschbusch
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Craig
authors.forename: William E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Pelham
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: King
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001076:Aptitude; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D019958:Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002755:Choice Behavior / Q000187:drug effects; D015897:Comorbidity; D019955:Conduct Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D003674:Defense Mechanisms; D004193:Discrimination Learning / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018782:Maze Learning / Q000187:drug effects; D008774:Methylphenidate / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009146:Music; D010364:Pattern Recognition, Visual / Q000187:drug effects; D012649:Self Concept
chemical_list: D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D008774:Methylphenidate