Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 4, 2026

Measuring Attentional Biases for Threat in Children and Adults
Published on: October 19, 2014
Self-esteem in children with attention and/or learning deficits: the importance of gender
Ulla Ek1, Joakim Westerlund, Kirsten Holmberg
1Department of Psychology, University of Stockholm, Sweden. uek@psychology.su.se
Objective:
Our objective was to analyze self-esteem in children within a spectrum of attention disorders, that is, besides attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), also children with subthreshold ADHD and even milder attention deficits and/or learning problems.
Methods:
From a population-based group of 10-11-year-old children in a Swedish municipality those with ADHD/subthreshold ADHD (n = 30) and those with milder attention and/or learning problems (n = 64) were targeted for the study. The children completed the 'I think I am' scale, reflecting physical appearance, scholastic competence, mental well-being, relationships to parents and to others and global self-esteem. Data from boys and girls were compared and related to the parents' and teachers' ratings on the two dimensions of the Conners' 10-item questionnaire (impulsive-restless behaviour and emotional lability) and to the children's cognitive levels.
Results:
Significant gender differences were found, girls reporting lower self-esteem concerning mental well-being and poorer relationships with parents and peers. However, children with ADHD/subthreshold ADHD did not report significantly lower global self-esteem when compared to a reference population.
Conclusion:
Self-esteem in children with attention, behaviour and/or learning problems has to be carefully evaluated, especially in girls, and measures are needed to prevent a trajectory towards adolescent psychopathology.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Sources of Self-Esteem I: Family Experience
Socioemotional Experience and Gender Development
Sources of Self-Esteem II: Performance Feedback
Sources of Self-Esteem III: Social Comparison
Self-Evaluation: Self-Enhancement and Self-Verification
Social Foundations of Self II: The Generalized Other

