The Processes Underlying Positive Illusory Bias in ADHD: The Role of Executive Functions and Pragmatic Language Skills

Objective: Children with ADHD often show a positive illusory bias (PIB), reporting an extremely positive idea of their own competence, despite their difficulties. The mechanisms underlying this phenomenon are still poorly understood. In the present study, we examined social PIB and investigated the role of executive functions (EFs) and pragmatic language (PL). Method: Forty-one children with ADHD and 42 typically-developing children matched on age, IQ, and receptive language were administered measures of social competence, EFs and PL. The parents were also asked to estimate their child’s social competence. Results: There was evidence of social difficulties and PIB in children with ADHD. Only PL, not EFs, seemed to mediate the association between ADHD and PIB. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that PL abilities should be considered in efforts to improve self-perception in children with ADHD.

Does Positive Illusory Bias Affect Self-Concept and Loneliness in Children With Symptoms of ADHD?

Objective: Positive illusory bias (PIB) has been amply studied in children with ADHD, but its function is still limited understanding. Method: In a sample of 21 children with symptoms of ADHD, this study investigated whether they were more likely to be rejected by peers and examined PIB, and its influence on self-concept and loneliness, comparing the children with symptoms of ADHD with children who had weak social skills, but no ADHD. The children’s and teachers’ perception of social difficulties were compared, and self-concept and loneliness were analyzed in the two groups, which were also compared with typically developing (TD) children. Results: The results showed the presence of PIB on social skills in children with symptoms of ADHD, but this phenomenon did not give them a higher self-concept, which was similar to that of children with weak social skills and lower than in TD children. Conclusion: The implications of these findings are discussed.

Explicit and Implicit Positive Illusory Bias in Children With ADHD

Objective: Children with ADHD overestimate their own social and behavioral competence when using explicit self-report measures, a phenomenon known as Positive Illusory Bias (PIB). This study examined whether children with ADHD show PIB when self-perceptions are measured implicitly, reflecting associations that are relatively difficult to consciously control. Method: Participants were 23 children (ages 6.8-9.8) with ADHD and 55 typically developing (TD) children. Children’s explicit self-perceptions of competence were measured via self-report on the Self-Perception Profile for Children; their implicit associations were assessed using an Implicit Association Test. Parent and teacher ratings formed an adult-reported composite indicator of children’s competence, to which children’s self-perceptions were compared. Results: Children with ADHD overestimated their competence as compared with adult-informant reports on both explicit and implicit measures, whereas TD children tended to be accurate. Conclusion: Inflated self-perceptions in children with ADHD may exist on an implicit level outside of conscious awareness.

Selbstkonzept und Schulleistungen von Grundschülern mit ADHS-Symptomen

Diese Studie untersucht, ob Kinder mit Symptomen einer Aufmerksamkeitsdefizit-/Hyperaktivitätsstörung (ADHS) ein positiv illusorisches Selbstkonzept (Positive Illusory Bias, Hoza, Pelham, Dobbs, Owens & Pillow, 2002 ) bezüglich ihrer Schulleistungen aufzeigen. Dazu wird das akademische Selbstkonzept von Zweitklässlern im Lesen, Schreiben und Rechnen mit den entsprechenden Schulleistungen in Beziehung gesetzt. Kinder, die laut Lehrerurteil ADHS-Symptome zeigen (n = 262) überschätzen im Vergleich zu Kindern ohne ADHS-Symptome (n = 981) ihre Leistungen deutlich stärker. Keine Gruppenunterschiede finden sich hingegen, wenn Kinder mit ADHS-Symptomen einer nach Schulleistung parallelisierten Kontrollgruppe gegenübergestellt werden. Zudem schätzen sich Kinder mit ADHS-Symptomen in dem Leistungsbereich am besten ein, in dem sie auch am besten abschneiden. Die Analysen legen die Vermutung nahe, dass der Positive Illusory Bias nicht spezifisch für die ADHS ist.