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Effects of methylphenidate and expectancy of ADHD children's performance, self-evaluations, persistence, and
William E Pelham1, Betsy Hoza, Heidi L Kipp
1State U New York.
Abstract:
The effects of 0.3 mg/kg methylphenidate (MPH) and expectancy regarding medication on the performance and task persistence of 60 boys with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) were investigated. In a balanced-placebo design, boys in 4 groups (received placebo/drug crossed with told placebo/drug) completed the task in success and failure conditions. Medication improved participants' task persistence following failure. Participants' task performance was not affected by whether they thought they had received medication or placebo. Children made internal attributions for success and made external attributions for failure, regardless of medication or expectancy. These findings confirm previous reports that it is the pharmacological activity of MPH that affects ADHD children's self-evaluations and persistence. The results contradict anecdotal reports that MPH causes dysfunctional attributions and confirm previous studies showing that medication does not produce adverse effects on the causal attributions of children with ADHD.
Insights
Methylphenidate (MPH) medication improved task persistence in boys with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) after failure. Expecting medication did not impact performance, confirming MPH
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Child Psychology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) affects children's performance and persistence.
- Methylphenidate (MPH) is a common medication for ADHD.
- Understanding medication effects and expectancy is crucial for ADHD management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of methylphenidate (MPH) and expectancy on task performance and persistence in boys with ADHD.
- To examine how success and failure conditions influence these effects.
- To analyze causal attributions for success and failure in relation to medication and expectancy.
Main Methods:
- A balanced-placebo design was used with 60 boys diagnosed with ADHD.
- Participants were assigned to four groups based on actual medication (MPH or placebo) and told medication (MPH or placebo).
- Task performance and persistence were measured under success and failure conditions, alongside attributional analysis.
Main Results:
- Methylphenidate (MPH) significantly improved task persistence following failure.
- Participants' task performance was not influenced by their belief about receiving medication.
- Causal attributions for success (internal) and failure (external) remained consistent regardless of medication or expectancy.
Conclusions:
- The pharmacological effects of methylphenidate (MPH), not expectancy, are responsible for improvements in self-evaluation and persistence in children with ADHD.
- Findings contradict anecdotal reports of MPH causing dysfunctional attributions.
- Medication does not adversely affect causal attributions in children with ADHD.