Yuanyuan Jiang

2009 Research Trainee Award, Junior Graduate Studentship

The Positive Illusory Bias (PIB) in parents with and without Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common psychological conditions in childhood. Characterized by inattentiveness and/or hyperactivity and impulsivity, ADHD is associated with developmental challenges in areas such as social relationships and academics.

Recent studies show that ADHD is also present in adults and is associated with risk for conduct problems, substance abuse, relationship difficulties, driving impairments, employment issues, academic deficits, and poor parenting.

Interestingly, children with ADHD overestimate their abilities in areas in which they are actually deficient, a phenomenon called the Positive Illusory Bias (PIB). Specifically, a PIB can affect a child's self-perceptions, motivation, endurance, and performance, which may  negatively impact their motivation to engage in treatment for ADHD.

To date, no studies have investigated the existence of a PIB in adults with ADHD. A PIB in this group of individuals may play an important role in reducing their motivation to seek or
maintain treatment. For example, if parents with ADHD hold overly positive views of their parenting, this may reduce their utilization of parenting programs and services. Parents’ lack of engagement with such programs and services can, in turn, adversely affect the outcomes of their children.
 
Building on her preliminary investigation of a PIB in adults with ADHD, Yuanyuan Jiang's current research addresses the existence of a PIB in parents with ADHD compared to parents without ADHD in a variety of important life domains such as in work, social relationships, intelligence, and parenting.

Knowing whether a PIB exists in adults with ADHD can lead to improvements in relevant treatments. Moreover, consideration of a PIB as a predictor of treatment response will allow for more informed problem solving on the part of the clinician in response to resistance to treatment from the patient.

Completed award term, September 2010

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