Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) produces significant negative consequences for children, thus often requiring treatment. Although efficacious treatments exist for ADHD, effectiveness results often vary. One important variable associated with treatment effectiveness is treatment acceptability, because it is commonly related to treatment adherence. Although previous studies have been conducted regarding acceptability of ADHD interventions, much of the research has not utilized actual consumers of the interventions. Therefore, this study examined the acceptability of medication and behavioral treatments among parents of children with ADHD (actual consumers) and without ADHD (potential consumers). Sixty parents were randomly assigned to three experimental conditions (behavioral treatment, medication, and combination of both) and asked to evaluate the acceptability of all three treatments via the Treatment Evaluation Inventory (TEI). Results revealed significant differences between parents of children with ADHD and parents of children without ADHD for all three treatment options. These results demonstrate that important differences exist between potential and actual consumers' views of ADHD interventions.

Ninety-six parents evaluated alternative treatments for a child diagnosed with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), according to both DSM-III-R and DSM-IV criteria. All subjects evaluated three psychosocial treatments for ADHD children (i.e., self-management therapy, parent training, parent-child interaction training) in addition to a no-treatment option. Half of the subjects also evaluated the acceptability of psychosocial interventions combined with psychostimulant medication. Results indicated that psychosocial treatments combined with psychostimulant medication were rated significantly lower in acceptability than psychosocial treatments alone. Child self-management therapy, parent training, and parent-child interaction training were generally rated as equivalent interventions although parent-child interaction training revealed the highest acceptability scores. All therapies were preferred to the notreatment option.Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is characterized by deficits in attention and/or extreme overactivity, and is also associated with secondary effects such as low self-esteem, poor school achievement, and problems developing social relationships

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