Social perception in children with Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder: a Rorschach study
Abstract
Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) has been long associated with
ineffective or inappropriate social interactions and the debate regarding the role of
perception in successfully navigating interpersonal interactions is growing. Despite the
growing literature in the field of social competence in children with ADHD, few studies
have directly examined the role of perception in social interactions regarding children
with ADHD. Preliminary evidence suggests that perceptual deficits contribute to the
social dysfunction in ADHD/Primarily Inattentive Type (ADHD/PI) whereas production
deficits contribute to social dysfunction in ADHD/Combined Type (ADHD/C)
(Kaufman, Wilson, Lyle, Semrud-Clikeman, & Young, 2000; Whalen & Henker, 1985;
Wheeler & Carlson, 1994). Therefore, the current study was designed to explore the
nature of their visual perceptual processes using the Rorschach Inkblot Test to determine
the quality of their misinterpretations. It was hypothesized that children with ADHD/PI
would demonstrate a restricted stimulus field (Pure F%), visual distortion (X-%), and less
interest in others (PureH) compared to ADHD/C and control children. It was also
hypothesized that children with both ADHD/PI and ADHD/C would demonstrate more
interpersonal difficulties (CDI) compared to control children.
Fifty-three participants between 8 and 14 years were recruited from a larger study
investigating social competence in children with ADHD. Statistical analyses did not
reveal statistical significant differences between the groups. However, clinical analyses
indicated that children with both subtypes of ADHD experience difficulties effectively
navigating their social interactions (CDI) at a clinically meaningful level despite an
appropriate interest in others and their social world (Pure H). Clinical findings suggested
that, although the underlying mechanism may differ across the subtypes, stimulus field
restriction (Pure F%) coupled with stimulus distortion (X-%) contribute to difficulties
successfully navigating the complex social world for children with both subtypes of
ADHD. Although the current data does not identify differences in visual perceptual
processing in children with ADHD/PI and ADHD/C, it is hoped that the study results
have provided useful information as to where to intervene in order to help children with
both subtypes of ADHD develop more effective social processing skills.
Department
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