Application and Perceived Effectiveness of Complementary and Alternative Intervention Strategies for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Relationships with Affiliate Stigma

Abstract

This cross-sectional questionnaire survey study was designed to examine the complementary and alternative intervention strategies (CAIS) employed by caregivers for their children’s attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and the associations of affiliate stigma with the employment and rated effectiveness of these strategies in Taiwan. A total of 400 caregivers of children with ADHD participated. CAIS that the caregivers employed and their effectiveness rated by the caregivers were surveyed. Associations of affiliate stigma with the application and rated effectiveness of the strategies were determined using logistic regression analysis. The results indicated that sensory integration (30.3%), exercise training (29.3%), sugar restriction (20.5%), and omega fatty acid supplementation (11.3%) were the most common CAIS that the caregivers employed. Caregivers with stronger affiliate stigma were more likely to employ sensory integration, exercise training, and omega fatty acid supplementation but also rated them as ineffective in treating their children’s ADHD. Various CAIS were employed by the caregivers to manage their children’s ADHD. Affiliate stigma was significantly associated with the application and rated ineffectiveness of several CAIS.

Association of Affiliate Stigma with Parenting Stress and Its Moderators among Caregivers of Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

“…Caregivers with higher parenting stress in the DC domain perceived greater CADHD’s difficulties in self-regulation and fulfillment of their obligations [ 13 ]. Studies have found that AS is related to caregivers’ unfavorable attitudes toward clinical diagnoses and treatment for ADHD [ 19 , 20 , 21 ]. The timing of proper treatment for ADHD may be delayed, and children’s ADHD symptoms and difficulties in daily lives could be aggravated.…”

“…In a cross-sectional study on 159 French mothers of boys with ADHD, Charbonnier et al found that mothers’ distress was positively related with AS [ 15 ]. Another cross-sectional study on 400 Taiwanese caregivers of CADHD found that AS is related to caregiver depression [ 18 ] and to unfavorable attitudes toward clinical diagnoses, treatment, and etiological explanations for ADHD [ 19 , 20 , 21 ]. In addition, AS was reported to prospectively predict emotional problems and physical discomfort in Taiwanese CADHD one year later [ 22 ].…”

Did Affiliate Stigma Predict Affective and Behavioral Outcomes in Caregivers and Their Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder?

“…Second, caregivers with affiliate stigma may distance themselves from their children with ADHD to avoid feeling shame [ 1 ]; therefore, children may not receive sufficient psychological support to properly develop emotional regulation. Third, caregivers with strong affiliate stigma tend to attribute their children’s ADHD to nonbiological etiologies [ 39 ] and employ intervention programs that lack credibility [ 40 ]. Children’s ADHD symptoms may not be treated adequately and consequently impair multiple dimensions of children’s functioning.…”

Terapias complementares para o tratamento do transtorno do déficit de atenção com hiperatividade

“…Para Chou et al (2020), o efeito foi positivo para 68% dos participantes da pesquisa, Souza, Ferreira Neto e Pereira (2021) ressaltaram que a técnica se torna ainda mais potente quando surge como auxílio no tratamento psicoterapêutico, facilitando a mediação do psicólogo, observou ainda, melhora na socialização com outras crianças, bem como a interação com os familiares. Vale pontuar que a técnica ideal a ser utilizada é a de Musicoterapia Ativa e deve ser executada por profissional qualificado que se baseia em evidência científica, visto que o leque de diferentes estímulos que a música pode proporcionar, se não utilizada adequadamente, podem gerar efeitos negativos (SANTOS et al, 2022).…”