title: The Role of Counterfactual Thinking on Attitudes Toward ADHD Medication Use.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Despite serious health risks, attitudes toward Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) medication use in college students remain favorable. Given the robust link between attitudes and behavior (e.g., the Theory of Planned Behavior), it is important to understand how these attitudes are developed and maintained. The current study examined the role of counterfactual, or "what if'" thinking as a mechanism for the development of attitudes toward ADHD medications.
  
  
  METHODS
  All participants (n = 190) were asked to read either a positive or negative scenario regarding ADHD medication misuse and rate their attitudes toward the behavior; half of the participants were also asked to generate counterfactuals prior to rating their attitudes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Results suggest that scenario valence influenced the direction of counterfactual statements. Further, through the generation of upward counterfactuals, the negative scenario elicited more positive attitudes toward ADHD medication misuse.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Based on limited prior research, it is suggested that upward counterfactuals may allow individuals to explain away the misuse of ADHD medication and avoid negative emotions such as guilt and shame related to current or prior ADHD medication misuse. In sum, additional research is needed to confirm preliminary findings that suggest counterfactual thinking could be a precursor to ADHD medication misuse.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Psychology , Texas A&M University , College Station , Texas , USA.
authors.forename: Ashley M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Ramos
authors.affiliation: a Department of Psychology , Texas A&M University , College Station , Texas , USA.
authors.forename: Brittney
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Becker
authors.affiliation: a Department of Psychology , Texas A&M University , College Station , Texas , USA.
authors.forename: Julie A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Biemer
authors.affiliation: a Department of Psychology , Texas A&M University , College Station , Texas , USA.
authors.forename: Lindsay
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Clark
authors.affiliation: a Department of Psychology , Texas A&M University , College Station , Texas , USA.
authors.forename: Sherecce
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fields
authors.affiliation: a Department of Psychology , Texas A&M University , College Station , Texas , USA.
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Smallman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D063487:Prescription Drug Misuse / Q000523:psychology*; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D013850:Thinking; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: ADHD medication; Counterfactual thinking; attitudes; nonprescription use