Self-concept in children and adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) struggle with behavioral symptoms, yet little research has provided information about how behavioral symptoms impact their self-concept, especially in terms of gender, age, and ethnicity. Data were collected from 145 children and adolescents with ADHD and their mothers. African Americans, Hispanic Americans, and Caucasians were nearly equally represented in the sample, with approximately one third each. The Child Behavior Checklist was used to assess ADHD symptom severity, and Piers--Harris Children's Self-Concept Scale was used to measure self-concept. Older ages and more internalizing behavior problems predicted lower self-concept. There were no significant differences between ethnic groups on behavior problem and self-concept scores, although post hoc analyses revealed a trend for Caucasian children with ADHD to have lower self-concept scores than those of African American or Hispanic children. The findings indicate that there is a need to assess self-concept in children and adolescents with ADHD, especially those who are older and have comorbid conditions of anxiety and depression.