ADHD status and degree of positive illusions: moderational and mediational relations with actual behavior.
OBJECTIVE
Past research suggests that many children with behavior problems display overly positive self-views ("positive illusions"); some researchers have hypothesized that these positive illusions may prevent these children from improving their behavior. This research investigates positive illusions in the behavioral domain as a moderator and mediator of the relation between ADHD status and behavior in a summer program setting.


METHODS
Boys with ADHD and comparison boys rated their own behavioral competence; discrepancies between these self-ratings and the reports of boys' teachers served as an index of behavioral positive illusions. Dependent variables were derived from a behavioral point system that provided specific data about boys' positive and negative behaviors and from counselor ratings of behavior.


CONCLUSIONS
Hierarchical multiple regression and analyses revealed no evidence supporting a moderational association, although ADHD status and behavioral positive illusions were additive predictors of the dependent variables. Post hoc analyses revealed a pattern of mediational effects that were strongest for dependent variables assessing conduct problem behaviors.
Kaiser
Nina M
NM
Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143-0984, USA. nina.kaiser@ucsf.edu
Hoza
Betsy
B
Pelham
William E
WE
Gnagy
Elizabeth
E
Greiner
Andrew R
AR
D000293:Adolescent; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D019958:Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D035061:Control Groups; D003376:Counseling; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D006801:Humans; D007088:Illusions / Q000523:psychology*; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008297:Male; D008960:Models, Psychological; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012649:Self Concept; D013663:Teaching