Social perception in children with Attention Deficit /Hyperactivity Disorder: A Rorschach study
Year: 2006
Type: dissertation
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) has been long associated with \nineffective or inappropriate social interactions and the debate regarding the role of \nperception in successfully navigating interpersonal interactions is growing. Despite the \ngrowing literature in the field of social competence in children with ADHD, few studies \nhave directly examined the role of perception in social interactions regarding children \nwith ADHD. Preliminary evidence suggests that perceptual deficits contribute to the \nsocial dysfunction in ADHD/Primarily Inattentive Type (ADHD/PI) whereas production \ndeficits contribute to social dysfunction in ADHD/Combined Type (ADHD/C) \n(Kaufman, Wilson, Lyle, Semrud-Clikeman, & Young, 2000; Whalen & Henker, 1985; \nWheeler & Carlson, 1994). Therefore, the current study was designed to explore the \nnature of their visual perceptual processes using the Rorschach Inkblot Test to determine \nthe quality of their misinterpretations. It was hypothesized that children with ADHD/PI \nwould demonstrate a restricted stimulus field (Pure F%), visual distortion (X-%), and less \ninterest in others (PureH) compared to ADHD/C and control children. It was also \nhypothesized that children with both ADHD/PI and ADHD/C would demonstrate more \ninterpersonal difficulties (CDI) compared to control children. \nFifty-three participants between 8 and 14 years were recruited from a larger study \ninvestigating social competence in children with ADHD. Statistical analyses did not \nreveal statistical significant differences between the groups. However, clinical analyses \nindicated that children with both subtypes of ADHD experience difficulties effectively \nnavigating their social interactions (CDI) at a clinically meaningful level despite an \nappropriate interest in others and their social world (Pure H). Clinical findings suggested \nthat, although the underlying mechanism may differ across the subtypes, stimulus field \nrestriction (Pure F%) coupled with stimulus distortion (X-%) contribute to difficulties \nsuccessfully navigating the complex social world for children with both subtypes of \nADHD. Although the current data does not identify differences in visual perceptual \nprocessing in children with ADHD/PI and ADHD/C, it is hoped that the study results \nhave provided useful information as to where to intervene in order to help children with \nboth subtypes of ADHD develop more effective social processing skills.
Author: Alexandra Simone Kutz
Language: English
Subfield: Psychiatry and Mental health
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2161820404