This study was conducted to understand cognitive and psychological social factors and improve a self-esteem by
examining the relation between both self-perception and attributional style, and a low self-esteem of adult
ADHD. In addition, although it was reported that there was a positive relation among a self-esteem,
self-perception, and self-serving attributional style, the relation of three variables; a self-esteem, self-perception,
and the attributional style of ADHD children observed in previous studies needed to be reviewed. Therefore, this
study attempted to examine the possibility to predict a self-esteem by self-perception of the group of college
students who had a attitudes of ADHD and understand which domain in self-perception is better predict a
self-esteem of the ADHD attitude group among scholastic competence, social acceptance, and appearances. In
addition, this study attempted to review the relationship of a low self-esteem of the ADHD attitude group by
examining what kind of attributional style was observed in successful and failure experiences.
As the result of the study, a low self-esteem and self-perception were observed in ADHD attitude groups than
non-ADHD attitude groups. Furthermore, a self-esteem in two groups was explained by self-perception. But there
was difference in domain of self-perception to predict a self-esteem. Among scholastic competence, social
acceptance, and self-perception toward appearances, a self-esteem could be explained by scholastic competence and social acceptance in non-ADHD attitude group and a low self-esteem could be explained by self-perception of
social acceptance despite a low academic achievement in ADHD attitude group. After comparing the attributional
styles between the two groups, they had a tendency of internal attribution in successful and failure experiences.
The results of this study is useful to improve a self-esteem which intervenes a cognitive such as the
self-perception, and the attributional style of adult ADHD attitude group, and especially, social supports and
acceptances can be the most important elements to effect their self-esteem.