Associations between Maternal Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Symptoms and Parenting

Abstract

Mothers of children with attention-deficit/hyper-activity disorder (ADHD) are at increased risk for an ADHD diagnosis themselves, which is likely associated with impairments in parenting. The present study utilized a multi-method assessment of maternal ADHD and parenting to examine the extent to which maternal ADHD symptoms are associated with maladaptive parenting. Participants included 70 6–10 year old children with DSM-IV ADHD and their biological mothers. Results suggested that mothers with higher levels of ADHD symptoms reported lower levels of involvement and positive parenting and higher levels of inconsistent discipline. During observed parent–child interactions, maternal ADHD symptoms were negatively associated with positive parenting, and positively associated with negative parenting and repeated commands before giving the child an opportunity to comply. Given prior research suggesting that maladaptive parenting behaviors are risk factors for the later development of conduct problems among children with ADHD, these findings have important clinical implications for family-based assessment and treatment of ADHD.

Disentangling Child and Family Influences on Maternal Expressed Emotion Toward Children With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

“…ADHD in the past has been shown to be related to increased negligence and tolerance, lower levels of involvement and positive parenting and increased levels of inconsistent and permissive parenting. 19,39,44,45 These findings were echoed by Psychogiou and colleagues 46 . However, Psychogiou and colleagues 46 also showed that high levels of ADHD symptoms in mothers of children with ADHD led to higher WAR.…”

“…In some, CP exacerbates and is more strongly associated with less effective parenting practices than ADHD, 37,38 while others find little support for this trend. 39 Disentangling these child-specific effects is made difficult due to the strong association found between ADHD and CP. Longitudinal studies suggest the relationship between EE, ADHD and CP may be more complex and transactional.…”

Parental Psychopathology in Families of Children with ADHD: A Meta-analysis

“…Parental ADHD has been associated with maladaptive parenting strategies (Chen & Johnston, 2007;Chronis-Tuscano et al, 2008; Mokrova, O'Brien, Calkins, & Keane, 2010;Murray & Johnston, 2006) and impaired emotional responsiveness (Chronis-Tuscano et al, 2008; Johnston, Mash, Miller, & Ninowski, 2012). Literature on ADHD treatment outcomes demonstrates high dropout rates among parents with ADHD, which further contributes to the reduction of optimal treatment results (Chronis, Chacko, Fabiano, Wymbs, & Pelham, 2004; Evans, Vallano, & Pelham, 1994;McMahon, Forehand, Griest, & Wells, 1981).…”

“…There is evidence that parental ADHD is a risk factor for ADHD diagnosis of future offspring (Alberts-Corush et al, 1986; Biederman, Faraone, & Monuteaux, 2002; Chronis et al, 2003). Researchers have estimated that a large majority of parents with ADHD will have a child with ADHD and consequently about one quarter of children presenting with ADHD will have an ADHD parent (Faraone & Biederman, 1997).Parental ADHD has been associated with maladaptive parenting strategies (Chen & Johnston, 2007;Chronis-Tuscano et al, 2008; Mokrova, O'Brien, Calkins, & Keane, 2010;Murray & Johnston, 2006) and impaired emotional responsiveness (Chronis-Tuscano et al, 2008; Johnston, Mash, Miller, & Ninowski, 2012). Literature on ADHD treatment outcomes demonstrates high dropout rates among parents with ADHD, which further contributes to the reduction of optimal treatment results (Chronis, Chacko, Fabiano, Wymbs, & Pelham, 2004; Evans, Vallano, & Pelham, 1994;McMahon, Forehand, Griest, & Wells, 1981).…”

A Review of ADHD Nation

“…There is, in fact, a strong clinical basis for this finding. The interaction between children with ADHD and their parents is well documented to be more highly conflictual, eliciting more controlling and critical behavior on the part of the parents, than is the case with typical children (Chronis-Tuscano, Raggi et al, 2008). If a parent with impulse control problems is treated for ADHD (Chronis-Tuscano, Seymour et al, 2008), it is not surprising that the children will benefit from having parents who are thus better adjusted and in better control.…”