Effects of information on perceptions of stimulant medication efficacy for treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder

Abstract

A study on the perceptions of stimulant medications prescribed for children with attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD) was conducted. Students, enrolled in introductory level psychology courses at a midwestern university participated voluntarily in the study (N= 36). After viewing a video that simulated the feelings a child with AD/HD experiences, participants were randomly assigned to two treatment groups. The popular information group read an article on AD/HD similar to that which is most often presented to the public. This article included personal testimonials and lacked a discussion of side effects and areas where the medications have not been demonstrated to be efficacious. The scientific information group read a page of information that was compiled from the scientific literature and included both the positive effects, side effects, and areas where the medication has not been demonstrated to be efficacious. All participants then completed a questionnaire regarding their perceptions of the efficacy of the medications. A second scale measured participants' likelihood of recommending the use of stimulant medications for children with suspected AD/HD. Two 2×2 between‐subjects ANOVA's were employed. There were main effects for the type of article that was read, but no main effects for gender of participant. No significant interactions were found. There were no differences found between the gender of participants and their perceptions of stimulant medications based on the reading material presented to them. However, the type of information presented to the participants did influence their view of the efficacy of stimulant medications. In addition, the type of reading material also influenced the participants' view of the safety and recommended use of stimulant medications prescribed for children with AD/HD. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Children's Self-Reports on Perceived Effects on Taking Stimulant Medication for ADHD

“…Few other studies have explored this issue, but it is likely that the lack of positive effects could be just as important as the presence of negative effects. It has also been suggested that the type of information a person receives about stimulant medication influences that person's perception of medication efficacy (Borgschatz, Frankenberger, & Eder, 1999). When studying medication treatment in children, parental perceptions of stimulant treatment in general should be of interest, as children are likely to be influenced by what their parents think about the treatment.…”

The Use of Stimulant Medication and Behavioral Interventions for the Treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Survey of Parents’ Knowledge, Attitudes, and Experiences

“…years, the use of stimulant medication has greatly increased as the main treatment for ADHD (Borgschatz et al 1999;MTA Cooperative Group 2004).…”

“…Parents with higher knowledge (accurate and comprehensive information about ADHD and its treatment) of ADHD had more positive opinions of non-pharmacological interventions, but not pharmacological interventions than did parents with less knowledge (less accurate and complete information on ADHD and its treatment). Although parents reported they favored non-pharmacological interventions, the literature shows pharmacological interventions increasing in usage for the treatment of ADHD (Borgschatz et al 1999; Moline and Frankenberger 2001;Snider et al 2000). It is unclear why parents have typically endorsed non-pharmacological treatments, while actually utilizing pharmacological treatments for ADHD.…”