The effect of social devaluation, labelling and familiarity on children's attitudes and behavioural intentions towards a peer with symptoms of ADHD

The present study examined the attitudes and behavioural intentions of 336 children aged 7-11 towards a hypothetical peer with symptoms of ADHD to determine whether they were influenced by labelling, social devaluation or familiarity. Children read one of five vignettes describing the behaviour of a gender-neutral peer before completing self-report measures of attitudes and behavioural intentions. Results showed children held predominantly negative attitudes towards the hypothetical peer, which were more pronounced for inattentive than hyperactive/impulsive symptoms. These findings suggest that children were more likely to devalue internalising rather than externalising behaviours. Children also reported being more likely to engage in active/recreational and social activities rather than academic activities. In addition, the diagnostic label ‘ADHD’ led to more negative attitudes and behavioural intentions, while knowing someone with ADHD mediated the negative effect of hyperactive/impulsive symptoms on attitudes and behavioural intentions. Finally, significant positive relationships were found between attitudes and children’s willingness to engage in social, academic and physical activities. Policy and practice implications of these findings are discussed