RESUMO
In Experiment 1, 28 attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) boys underwent a double-blind, placebo-controlled medication assessment in a summer day-treatment program. Daily, boys were asked questions to assess their attributions for and evaluations of their behavior. Objective measures showed improved behavior with methylphenidate; however, boys tended to attribute their performance to effort rather than to medication, particularly when medicated. Experiment 2 involved 38 ADHD boys the following summer and replicated the procedures in Experiment 1, with the addition of a no-pill condition and a comparison of attributions for success and failure outcomes. Simply taking a pill (no-pill vs. placebo comparison) did not show significant effects, whereas the results of Experiment 1 were replicated with placebo-methylphenidate comparisons. Across drug conditions a self-enhancing attributional pattern was obtained; the majority of attributions for success were to ability or effort, whereas attributions for failure were to the pill or to counselors.
Assuntos
Transtorno do Deficit de Atenção com Hiperatividade/tratamento farmacológico , Controle Interno-Externo , Metilfenidato/uso terapêutico , Atenção/efeitos dos fármacos , Transtorno do Deficit de Atenção com Hiperatividade/psicologia , Criança , Método Duplo-Cego , Humanos , Masculino , Determinação da Personalidade , Resolução de Problemas/efeitos dos fármacosRESUMO
The effects of 0.3 and 0.6 mg/kg methylphenidate were analyzed in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study in which 17 boys (ages 7.8-9.9 years) with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) played in baseball games. Drug effects were evaluated on children's attention during the game, as indicated by their on-task behavior on the field and their ability to answer questions about the status of the game at all times. Judgment during batting, batting skill during the game, and performance on skill drills prior to the game were also assessed as a function of medication. Results revealed that methylphenidate had a beneficial effect on attending during the game.