title: Changes in self-perceptions in children with ADHD: a longitudinal study of depressive symptoms and attributional style.
abstract: This study examined positive self-perceptions in relation to depressive symptoms and attributional style in a sample of 88 boys with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) assessed at baseline and at a 2- to 3-year follow-up. Change in boys' self-perceptions of competency in the scholastic, social, and behavioral domains was examined as a predictor of changes in depressive symptoms and depressive attributional style. Additionally, teacher-rated perceptions of competency at baseline and follow-up were considered as unique predictors. Results indicated that across all three domains, a reduction in children's self-perceptions of competency over time predicted greater depressive symptoms at follow-up, even when controlling for teacher-rated competency. Analyses also suggested that a reduction in self-perceptions in the social domain was the strongest relative predictor of later depressive symptoms and also predicted greater depressive attributional style at follow-up. In contrast, teacher-rated competency was not a significant predictor of depressive symptoms or attributional style at follow-up. Results support a protective function of positive self-perceptions in regards to depressive cognitions over a 2- to 3-year period for children with ADHD. However, literature suggesting risks for other negative outcomes also is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont 05405, USA. Julia.mcquade@uvm.edu
authors.forename: Julia D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: McQuade
authors.forename: Betsy
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hoza
authors.forename: Daniel A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Waschbusch
authors.forename: Dianna
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Murray-Close
authors.forename: Julie S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Owens
mesh_terms: D000124:Achievement; D000293:Adolescent; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D012649:Self Concept; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires