Exploring Help-Seeking for ADHD Symptoms: A Mixed-Methods Approach

Bussing, Regina; Koro‐Ljungberg, Mirka; Gary, Faye A.; Mason, Dana M.; Garvan, Cynthia Wilson

doi:10.1080/10673220590956465

Cited by 65 publications

(59 citation statements)

References 62 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…However, to date, whether psychosocial treatments are equally effective for the treatment of ADHD across the sexes is largely unknown. Moreover, knowing that girls with ADHD may be less likely to be referred for treatment, 89,90 better ways must be found to reach this under served group of our population.…”

Section: Summary and Future Directionsmentioning

confidence: 98%

Gender Differences in Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Rucklidge

2010

Psychiatric Clinics of North America

446

335

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Section: Summary and Future Directionsmentioning

confidence: 98%

Gender Differences in Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Rucklidge

2010

Psychiatric Clinics of North America

446

335

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

“…This 'standard' is subject to cultural and contextual influences (Karp 2001;McNeal et al 2000). Minority parents are often found to have a higher threshold for concern or distress about certain behaviors (Weisz and Weiss 1991), to be less likely to medicalize behavioral problems (Arcia and Fernandez 2003;Leslie et al 2007;McKay and Bannon 2004), and more reluctant than Caucasian parents to seek MH treatment for their children (Bussing et al 2003(Bussing et al , 2005Cauce et al 2002;dosReis et al 2007;Ho et al 2007;McMiller and Weisz 1996). Cross-cultural differences in problem recognition or in help-seeking are often explained as related to minorities' greater distrust of labels and social services and/or lack of culturally competent services (Breland-Noble 2004;Forehand and Kotchick 1996;Hervey-Jumper et al 2008;Lambert et al 2001).…”

Section: Factors Related To Parents' Problem Conceptualizationmentioning

confidence: 98%

Parents’ Conceptualization of Adolescents’ Mental Health Problems: Who Adopts a Psychiatric Perspective and Does It Make a Difference?

Moses

2009

Community Ment Health J

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

How parents give meaning to the problems of adolescents diagnosed with mental disorders and receiving treatment is likely related to important outcomes including parental well-being and commitment to treatment, as well as their own behaviors and reactions to their child. The aim of this cross-sectional, mixed-method study of 70 parents of adolescents receiving wraparound mental health services is to examine: (1) how parents conceptualize their child's MH problems; (2) factors related to parents' conceptualization of youths' problems using medical model terms; and (3) associations between parents' problem conceptualization and their emotional or coping responses to their child having psychiatric problem(s). Content analysis indicated that 54.3% of parents definitively conceptualized adolescents' problems using psychiatric terms, 37.1% reported uncertainty about the nature of their child's problems, and 8.6% gave alternative, non-psychiatric explanations for their child's problems. We found significant relationships between parents' problem conceptualization and their attitudes and experience with MH treatment, demographics, as well as with adolescents' clinical characteristics. Parents who conceptualized problems using psychiatric terminology were more likely to express sadness and pessimism relative to other parents, though there were no differences in expressions of worry, guilt, pragmatism and optimism by problem conceptualization.

show abstract

“…Our analysis of parent comments corroborates previous work in this area and provides a far more comprehensive collection of factors than previous studies. [4][5][6][7][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35] Previous efforts implementing the American Academy of Pediatrics clinical practice guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD demonstrated a need to augment the time-constrained efforts of physicians to educate and support parents. 36 Future studies are needed to develop and test systems to support parents facing treatment decisions for their child newly diagnosed with ADHD.…”

Section: Table 4 Domain 3: Continued Doubt and Uncertaintymentioning

confidence: 99%

Parental Angst Making and Revisiting Decisions About Treatment of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Sherman²,

et al. 2009

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

WHAT'S KNOWN ON THIS SUBJECT:Initiation of medication for ADHD is variable and persistence with therapeutic regimens is poor. Parents play a key role in managing medication use for their child with ADHD. WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS:This study identifies factors that influence parent decision-making about the initiation and continuation of medication treatment. Awareness of these factors may help physicians address the concerns of families while managing ADHD.abstract BACKGROUND: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common neurobehavioral conditions of childhood and adolescence. Despite availability of effective treatment options, initiation of treatment is variable and persistence with therapeutic regimens is poor. OBJECTIVE:We sought to better understand how parents make decisions about treatment for their child or adolescent with ADHD. METHODS:We conducted a qualitative study among parents of children and adolescents; 52 parents participated in 1 of 12 focus groups. Parents answered questions about decision-making, information sharing, and sources of conflict and uncertainty. Sessions were audiotaped and transcribed verbatim. Themes were coded independently by 4 of the investigators, who then agreed on common themes. RESULTS:Parents in our study made decisions about treatment for their child with ADHD in the midst of experiencing a variety of emotions as they witnessed child functional impairments at home and at school. In addition, parents felt stress as a result of their daily efforts to manage their child's struggles. Multiple factors influenced the decision to initiate medication. Subsequently, revisiting the decision to give their child medicine for ADHD was common. Many parents contrasted time on and off medicine to help inform management decisions. Trials stopping medication were almost always parent-or child-initiated. CONCLUSIONS:Decisions about medication use for children and adolescents with ADHD are made and frequently revisited by their parents. Choices are often made under stressful conditions and influenced by a variety of factors. Striking a balance between benefits and concerns is an ongoing process that is often informed by contrasting time on and off medication. Development of strategies to support families across the continuum of decisions faced while managing ADHD is warranted.

show abstract

Exploring Help-Seeking for ADHD Symptoms: A Mixed-Methods Approach

Abstract: ADHD symptoms are interpreted as having different implications for the sick role and the intervention, dependent on a child's gender and race. Educational interventions need to address cultural stereotypes contributing to inequitable access to treatment.

Cited by 65 publications

References 62 publications

Gender Differences in Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Gender Differences in Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Parents’ Conceptualization of Adolescents’ Mental Health Problems: Who Adopts a Psychiatric Perspective and Does It Make a Difference?

Parental Angst Making and Revisiting Decisions About Treatment of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About