Parenting and Parental Psychopathology in Mothers and Fathers of Children With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

• In Event: Mental Health in Young Children: Concerns and Prevention

Abstract

Children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) suffer from impairments that impact on their school functioning, including not only cognitive difficulties but social problems with peers and teachers (Barkley, 2006). Although ADHD is recognized as strongly influenced by genetic and biological factors, family characteristics such as parent psychopathology and parenting behaviors have been linked to the emergence of oppositional problems in these children and to the severity of ADHD symptoms (Johnston, Hommersen, & Seipp, 2009; Martel et al., 2011). However, previous studies are often limited by a focus on only mothers and by a reliance on self-report measures of parenting. We examined both mothers and fathers of 27 children with ADHD (22 boys) aged 6 to 11 (mean age 8.28 years). Mothers and fathers were each observed interacting with their child, and reported on both their parenting behaviors. Parents also reported on their own psychological functioning. Mothers were observed to be more responsive in interactions with the children, and reported more positive parenting. The child’s level of oppositional behavior was positively related to parents’ reports of over-reactive parenting. Mothers’ and fathers’ reports of their own antisocial behavior were related to increased child-rearing disagreements and more problematic parenting. Avoidant behaviors in both mothers and fathers were related to increased laxness in parenting and less positive parenting. Finally, mothers’, but not fathers’ reports of their own greater inattention-hyperactivity symptoms were related to increased responsiveness, particularly during play with the child. Further analyses will examine the unique links between parent psychopathology, parenting, and child problems. These results suggest the importance of considering parent factors in optimizing treatment for children with ADHD.

References

Barkley, R. A. (2006). Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Handbook for Diagnosis and Treatment. New York: Guilford.

Johnston, C., Hommersen, P., & Seipp, C. M. (2009). Maternal attributions and child oppositional behavior: A longitudinal study of boys with and without Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 77, 189-195.

Martel, M. M., Nikolas, M., Jernigan, K., Friderici, K., Waldman, I., & Nigg, J. T. (2011). The dopamine receptor D4 gene (DRD4) moderates family environmental effects on ADHD. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 39, 1-10.

Authors

• Charlotte Johnston, The University of British Columbia

• David Williamson, The University of British Columbia

• Catherine Lee, University of Ottawa