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. 2020 Apr;51(2):281-293.
doi: 10.1007/s10578-019-00929-x.

Factors Relating to the Presence and Modifiability of Self-Perceptual Bias Among Children with ADHD

Caroline P Martin  1 , Erin K Shoulberg  2 , Betsy Hoza  2 , Aaron Vaughn  3 , Daniel A Waschbusch  4
Affiliations

Factors Relating to the Presence and Modifiability of Self-Perceptual Bias Among Children with ADHD

Caroline P Martin et al. Child Psychiatry Hum Dev. 2020 Apr.

Abstract

Past research raises concerns about whether the presence of self-perceptual biases among children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) interferes with accurate assessment and/or diminishes treatment response. Yet, it remains unclear whether self-perceptual bias is a construct that can be modified. The current study examines individual differences in how children with ADHD (n = 178) display and modify their self-perceptions of competence in the presence of an external motivator for self-perceptual accuracy. Participants were grouped based on the presence and modifiability of their self-perceptual biases across three experimental conditions. Results demonstrate that the presence and modifiability of participants' self-perceptual biases across conditions was associated with adjustment (i.e., externalizing and internalizing problems) and cognitive functioning. Findings suggest multiple factors may be associated with self-perceptual bias (e.g., self-protection and cognitive impairment), and that these factors may differ across children. Implications for intervention, including whether assessment and treatment can be improved, are discussed.

Keywords: ADHD; Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder; Positive bias; Self-awareness; Self-perception; Self-perceptual bias.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest: The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Proportion of participants across bias subgroups for behavioral and social domains.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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