OBJECTIVE: Past research suggests that many children with behavior problems display overly positive self-views ("positive illusions"); some researchers have hypothesized that these positive illusions may prevent these children from improving their behavior. This research investigates positive illusions in the behavioral domain as a moderator and mediator of the relation between ADHD status and behavior in a summer program setting. METHOD: Boys with ADHD and comparison boys rated their own behavioral competence; discrepancies between these self-ratings and the reports of boys' teachers served as an index of behavioral positive illusions. Dependent variables were derived from a behavioral point system that provided specific data about boys' positive and negative behaviors and from counselor ratings of behavior. RESULTS/ CONCLUSION: Hierarchical multiple regression and analyses revealed no evidence supporting a moderational association, although ADHD status and behavioral positive illusions were additive predictors of the dependent variables. Post hoc analyses revealed a pattern of mediational effects that were strongest for dependent variables assessing conduct problem behaviors.
OBJECTIVE: Past research suggests that many children with behavior problems display overly positive self-views ("positive illusions"); some researchers have hypothesized that these positive illusions may prevent these children from improving their behavior. This research investigates positive illusions in the behavioral domain as a moderator and mediator of the relation between ADHD status and behavior in a summer program setting. METHOD:Boys with ADHD and comparison boys rated their own behavioral competence; discrepancies between these self-ratings and the reports of boys' teachers served as an index of behavioral positive illusions. Dependent variables were derived from a behavioral point system that provided specific data about boys' positive and negative behaviors and from counselor ratings of behavior. RESULTS/ CONCLUSION: Hierarchical multiple regression and analyses revealed no evidence supporting a moderational association, although ADHD status and behavioral positive illusions were additive predictors of the dependent variables. Post hoc analyses revealed a pattern of mediational effects that were strongest for dependent variables assessing conduct problem behaviors.
Authors: Betsy Hoza; Julia D McQuade; Dianna Murray-Close; Erin Shoulberg; Brooke S G Molina; L Eugene Arnold; James Swanson; Lily Hechtman Journal: J Consult Clin Psychol Date: 2013-07-08
Authors: Dianna Murray-Close; Betsy Hoza; Stephen P Hinshaw; L Eugene Arnold; James Swanson; Peter S Jensen; Lily Hechtman; Karen Wells Journal: Dev Psychopathol Date: 2010-11