Positive Illusory Bias in Adolescents with ADHD: Prevalence, Stability, and Accuracy of Reporters

Abstract

POSITIVE ILLUSORY BIAS IN ADOLESCENTS WITH ADHD: PREVALENCE, STABILITY, AND ACCURACY OF REPORTERS By Elizaveta Bourchtein, B.A. A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science at Virginia Commonwealth University. Virginia Commonwealth University, 2016 Major Director: Joshua Langberg, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Psychology The positive illusory bias (PIB) – over-reporting levels of self-competence compared to other raters – has been demonstrated in youth with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), despite increased impairment rates. However, due to inconsistent definitions of the PIB, conflicting findings have emerged regarding prevalence of the PIB in youth with ADHD and whether parent or child report is actually “biased” and driving the PIB. Additionally, stability of the PIB across time is unknown. The present study used person-centered methodology crosssectionally and longitudinally to evaluate the prevalence of the PIB in adolescents with ADHD. Results revealed a cross-domain global PIB group at baseline (18.4% of sample) but only a small social PIB group was present and stable across time. Parents in the PIB group were better reporters of scholastic competence relative to an objective measure than were youth. These findings suggest that the PIB may be significantly less prevalent in this population than previously thought.