Parental attributions for success in managing the behavior of children with ADHD

The current study evaluated the effects of differing intensities of behavior modification and medication on parents' self-reported success in managing their child's misbehavior and the attributions parents gave for success or failure.

Children were randomized to receive in counterbalanced orders different levels of behavior modification, each for 3-week cycles. In addition, medication was manipulated using a medication assessment procedure. Parents reported daily how successful they were in managing their child's misbehavior and the attributions for either their success or failure.

Parents of children with ADHD generally felt successful in managing their child's behavior, regardless of treatment condition. In the high behavior modification condition, they were more likely to endorse items that attributed their success to their own effort.

In conditions in which parents were given more intensive tools to manage misbehavior they were more likely to attribute their success to their own effort.