Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Preschool Age: Lived Experiences of Mothers

Abstract

Background and Purpose: Mothers are the most important factors in the prognosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in preschool children. Detecting mothers' experiences in daily life increases the potential of improving the effects of interventions on the child and enhancing the parents' level of well being. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to explore Iranian mothers' experiences in raising preschool children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Method: This research was executed in the qualitative method of phenomenological approach throughout a period of four months in 2016. The statistical population consisted of mothers who had preschool children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder who referred to Ebne-Sina Psychiatric Clinic in Mashhad. Through convenient sampling which continued until saturation, 15 mothers were selected and participated in an unstructured in-depth interview. The interviews were analyzed with Colaizzi's method. Results: Mothers' experience was categorized into three main domains. "Inadequacy of knowledge" consisted of mothers' unfamiliarity with the diagnosis, and the inaccessibility of scientific resources and applied knowledge. The "difficulties of treatment" displayed their experience to manage the disorder focused on the limitations of treatment systems and the challenges of pharmacotherapy. "Interaction problems in social network" signified the tension, conflict, guilt and shame, and loneliness and isolation brought on by child's disorder. Conclusion: Raising children with ADHD is a difficult experience which requires mothers' professional support throughout the early years of the disorder's development. Therefore, all of the findings of the present study are potential treatment goals in increasing mothers' well-being and they can be used to improve existing interventions and design new ones.

Practitioner Review: It's time to bridge the gap – understanding the unmet needs of consumers with attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder – a systematic review and recommendations

“…Twelve studies (52.2%) indicated the need for care that goes beyond medication (Cheung et al., 2015 ; Coletti et al., 2012 ; Fridman, Banaschewski, Sikirica, Quintero, & Chen, 2017 ; Hossainzadeh Maleki, Rasoolzadeh Tabatbaei, Mashhadi, & Moharreri, 2018 ; Leitch et al., 2019 ; McIntyre & Hennessy, 2012 ; Nasol, Lindly, Chavez, & Zuckerman, 2019 ; Reale, Frassica, Gollner, & Bonati, 2015 ; Sikirica et al., 2015 ; Simons et al., 2016 ; Sollie & Larsson, 2016 ; Vijverberg, Ferdinand, Beekman, & Van Meijel, 2020 ). Participants reported that medication reduces but does not eliminate ADHD symptoms (Sikirica et al., 2015 ; Simons et al., 2016 ; Sollie & Larsson, 2016 ) and wanted professionals to consider additional therapeutic options (Coletti et al., 2012 ; McIntyre & Hennessy, 2012 ).…”

“…Participants from 17 studies (73.9%) reported the need for ADHD education that improves health literacy for consumers, health professionals, teachers and the broader community (Ahmed, Borst, Yong, & Aslani, 2014 ; Cheung et al., 2015 ; Coletti et al., 2012 ; Fridman et al., 2017 ; Hossainzadeh Maleki et al., 2018 ; Leitch et al., 2019 ; McIntyre & Hennessy, 2012 ; Pahlavanzadeh, Mousavi, & Maghsoudi, 2018 ; Price et al., 2019 ; Reale et al., 2015 ; Rezel‐Potts, Kordowicz, Downs, White, & Prasad, 2021 ; Schrevel, Dedding, van Aken, & Broerse, 2016 ; Sikirica et al., 2015 ; Simons et al., 2016 ; Sleath et al., 2017 ; Vijverberg et al., 2020 ; Walker‐Noack, Corkum, Elik, & Fearon, 2013 ).…”

“…Caregivers and adults with ADHD (Ahmed et al., 2014 ; Cheung et al., 2015 ; Hossainzadeh Maleki et al., 2018 ; Jacobson, Östlund, Wallgren, Österberg, & Tranæus, 2016 ; Pahlavanzadeh et al., 2018 ; Reale et al., 2015 ) reported needing healthcare professionals to take more time during consultations to explain ADHD and treatments. Caregivers in three studies wanted comprehensible information (Ahmed et al., 2014 ; Coletti et al., 2012 ; Rezel‐Potts et al., 2021 ), with Australian caregivers requesting an explanation of the neurobiological origins of ADHD so they could appreciate medication efficacy and a tailored list of questions to ask healthcare providers to avoid information overload (Ahmed et al., 2014 ).…”

“…Though some ADHD consumers in Hong Kong reported no challenges accessing health services (Cheung et al., 2015 ), consumers from 14 studies (60.9%) reported gaps relating to accessing appropriate clinical services, support and financial assistance (Cheung et al., 2015 ; Fridman et al., 2017 ; Ho, Chien, & Wang, 2011 ; Hossainzadeh Maleki et al., 2018 ; McIntyre & Hennessy, 2012 ; Nasol et al., 2019 ; Pahlavanzadeh et al., 2018 ; Reale et al., 2015 ; Rezel‐Potts et al., 2021 ; Sikirica et al., 2015 ; Simons et al., 2016 ; Spencer et al., 2021 ; Swift et al., 2013 ; Vijverberg et al., 2020 ).…”

“…Need: Improved access to clinical services, support and financial assistance. Though some ADHD consumers in Hong Kong reported no challenges accessing health services (Cheung et al, 2015), consumers from 14 studies (60.9%) reported gaps relating to accessing appropriate clinical services, support and financial assistance (Cheung et al, 2015;Fridman et al, 2017;Ho, Chien, & Wang, 2011;Hossainzadeh Maleki et al, 2018;McIntyre & Hennessy, 2012;Nasol et al, 2019;Pahlavanzadeh et al, 2018;Reale et al, 2015;Rezel-Potts et al, 2021;Sikirica et al, 2015;Simons et al, 2016;Spencer et al, 2021;Swift et al, 2013;Vijverberg et al, 2020). Caregivers reported challenges obtaining an ADHD diagnosis due to long waiting periods and drawn out diagnostic processes, visiting multiple doctors, problems with misdiagnosis, insufficient resources and difficulty finding professionals that would listen (McIntyre & Hennessy, 2012;Rezel-Potts et al, 2021;Sikirica et al, 2015;Simons et al, 2016).…”