Hostname: page-component-76fb5796d-skm99 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-27T03:55:01.863Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

The Mental Effort-Reward Imbalances Model and Its Implications for Behaviour Management

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 March 2016

Alison Poulton Open the ORCID record for Alison Poulton [Opens in a new window] ,
Samina Whale  and
Joanne Robinson
Alison Poulton*
Affiliation:
Sydney Medical School Nepean, University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Samina Whale
Affiliation:
Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District, Penrith, New South Wales, Australia
Joanne Robinson
Affiliation:
Coral Tree Family Service, Macquarie Hospital, Northern Sydney Local Health District, New South Wales, Australia
*
address for correspondence: Alison Poulton, Department of Paediatrics, Nepean Hospital, PO Box 63, Penrith, NSW 2751Australia. Email: alison.poulton@sydney.edu.au
Get access

Abstract

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is frequently associated with oppositional defiant disorder (ODD). The Mental Effort Reward Imbalances Model (MERIM) explains this observational association as follows: in ADHD a disproportionate level of mental effort is required for sustaining concentration for achievement; in ODD the subjective experience of reward for achievement is less than normal. In combination, these mechanisms predispose to reductions in motivation and achievement, and to low mood, oppositional behaviour, and reward seeking. Self-regulation has been used as a management strategy in ADHD, with interventions directed towards encouraging individuals to evaluate and reinforce positive behaviour. Using the logic of the MERIM, self-management strategies would be directed towards encouraging the individual to attribute value to a task or activity with the goal of obtaining the emotional outcome of feeling good about themselves through their achievement. We describe the use of two such strategies: positive rumination and positive reappraisal. These could potentially lead to improvements in functioning, enhancing the quality of life of affected individuals and resulting in fewer incidents of destructive, reward-seeking behaviour in relation to those around them.

Keywords

mental effort-reward imbalances modelattention deficit hyperactivity disorderoppositional defiant disorderemotional self-regulation
Type
Articles
Information
Journal of Psychologists and Counsellors in Schools , Volume 26 , Special Issue 2: Developmental Disabilities , December 2016 , pp. 155 - 165
Check for updates
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s) 2016 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Aldao, A., Nolen-Hoeksema, S., & Schweizer, S. (2010). Emotion-regulation strategies across psychopathology: A meta-analytic review. Clinical Psychology Review, 30, 217–237. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2009.11.004 Google Scholar
American Psychiatric Association (APA). (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Association.Google Scholar
Carl, J.R., Soskin, D.P., Kerns, C., & Barlow, D.H. (2013). Positive emotion regulation in emotional disorders: A theoretical review. Clinical Psychology Review, 33, 343–360. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2013.01.003 Google Scholar
Decety, J., Michalska, K.J., Akitsuki, Y., & Lahey, B.B. (2009). Atypical empathic responses in adolescents with aggressive conduct disorder: A functional MRI investigation. Biological Psychology, 80, 203–211. doi:10.1016/j.biopsycho.2008.09.004 CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Downs, B., Oscar-Berman, M., Waite, R., Madigan, M., Giordano, J., Beley, T., . . . Blum, K. (2013). Have we hatched the addiction egg: Reward Deficiency Syndrome Solution System. Journal of Genetic Syndromes & Gene Therapy, 4, 14318. doi:10.4172/2157-7412.1000136 Google Scholar
DuPaul, G.J., Weyandt, L.L., & Janusis, G.M. (2011). ADHD in the classroom: Effective intervention strategies. Theory Into Practice, 50, 35–42. doi:10.1080/00405841.2011.534935 Google Scholar
Feindler, E.L. (1995). Ideal treatment package for children and adolescents with anger disorders. Issues in Comprehensive Pediatric Nursing, 18, 233–260.Google Scholar
Fondacaro, M.R., & Heller, K. (1990). Attributional style in aggressive adolescent boys. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 18, 75–89.Google Scholar
Gross, J.J., & John, O. P. (2003). Individual differences in two emotion regulation processes: Implications for affect, relationships, and well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 85, 348–362.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Helgeson, V.S., Reynolds, K.A., & Tomich, P.L. (2006). A meta-analytic review of benefit finding and growth. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 74, 797–816. doi:10.1037/0022-006X.74.5.797 Google Scholar
MTA Cooperative Group. (1999). A 14-month randomized clinical trial of treatment strategies for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder Archives of General Psychiatry, 56, 1073–1086.Google Scholar
Nolen-Hoeksema, S., Wisco, B.E., & Lyubomirsky, S. (2008). Rethinking rumination. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 3, 400–424. doi:10.1111/j.1745-6924.2008.00088.x Google Scholar
Poulton, A., & Nanan, R. (2014). The attention deficit hyperactivity disorder phenotype as a summation of deficits in executive functioning and reward sensitivity: Does this explain its relationship with oppositional defiant disorder? Australasian Psychiatry, 22, 174–178. doi:10.1177/1039856213517949 Google Scholar
Reid, R., Trout, A.L., & Schartz, M. (2005). Self-regulation interventions for children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Exceptional Children, 71, 361–377.Google Scholar
Rood, L., Roelofs, J., Bogels, S.M., & Arntz, A. (2012). The effects of experimentally induced rumination, positive reappraisal, acceptance, and distancing when thinking about a stressful event on affect states in adolescents. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 40, 73–84. doi:10.1007/s10802-011-9544-0 Google Scholar
Shaw, P., Stringaris, A., Nigg, J., & Leibenluft, E. (2014). Emotion dysregulation in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. American Journal of Psychiatry, 171, 276–293. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.2013.13070966 Google Scholar
Singh, N.N., Lancioni, G.E., Joy, S.D.S., Winton, A.S.W., Sabaawi, M., Wahler, R.G., & Singh, J. (2007). Adolescents with conduct disorder can be mindful of their aggressive behavior. Journal of Emotional & Behavioral Disorders, 15, 56–63.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Thompson, A.M. (2014). A randomized trial of the self-management training and regulation strategy for disruptive students. Research on Social Work Practice, 24, 414–427. doi:10.1177/1049731513509691 Google Scholar