Effects of psychostimulant medication on self-perceptions of competence, control, and mood in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Examined speculation that stimulant medication may serve to undermine self-efficacy and engender external or unknown explanations of control and dysphoria in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). More specifically, as part of a larger double blind, placebo trial of the effectiveness of the psychostimulants and various adjunctive treatments for ADHD, we assessed the effects of methylphenidate on self-perceptions of competence, control, and dysphoria in 48 children with ADHD. In contrast to placebo, although methylphenidate resulted in significantly greater amelioration of a number of the core features of ADHD, we found no evidence of a decrease in perceived competence or an increase in external or unknown explanations of control or dysphoria at posttest 14 weeks later.