Attributions and Perception of Methylphenidate Effects in Adolescents With ADHD. (January 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pelham, William E.; Gnagy, Elizabeth M.; Sibley, Margaret H.; Kipp, Heidi L.; Smith, Bradley H.; Evans, Steven W.; Bukstein, Oscar
• Is Part Of: Journal of attention disorders. Volume 21:Number 2(2017)
• Page Start: 129
• Page End: 136
• Publication Date: 2017-01
• Subjects: ADHD -- adolescence -- stimulant medication treatment; Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder -- Periodicals; Attention -- Periodicals; 616.8589
• DOI: 10.1177/1087054713493320
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1087-0547

Abstract

Objective : Although a number of studies demonstrate that children with ADHD do not attribute their behavior to taking medication, it remains unstudied whether adolescents, who have a longer history of taking medication for ADHD, show performance attributions to medication.Method: A sample of 46 adolescents completed daily attributions for success or failure as a part of their participation in a summer treatment program with a double-blind, placebo-controlled assessment of methylphenidate.Results: Results demonstrated that adolescents with ADHD did not reliably discern active medication from placebo, rarely attributed their performance to the pill, and showed no differences in attributional style as a function of medication status.Conclusion: These data indicate that adolescents with ADHD may possess inaccurate beliefs about the effect of stimulant medication on their behavior.