Parenting practices among parents of children with attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder: Gender‐related differences

Abstract

Objective Further research is needed on parenting practices among parents of children with attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), as these practices impact children's development and outcomes. This study analyzes these practices, distinguishing between parents’ and children's gender. Method Parental warmth (affection–communication and criticism–rejection responses) and control (inductive, strict, and indulgent discipline styles) were assessed in both parents of 81 children diagnosed with ADHD (aged 6–17 years). Results Mothers reported greater affection–communication responses and use of inductive disciplinary practices than fathers. Higher use of maternal strict practices was associated with female children, regardless of their age, subtype, medication, or comorbidities. However, parental practices used with male children were affected by children's age and subtype. Conclusions Warmth levels and discipline styles used by parents of children with ADHD may differ depending on the gender of both parents and children. The implications of these findings for understanding gender differences associated with ADHD are discussed.

Family Functioning Style as a Predictor of the Quality of Cognitive Functioning of Primary School Students With ADHD

“…However, the analysis of the results did not confirm this hypothesis, indicating that family functioning style is not a predictor of executive functioning. Considering previous reports suggesting that the family climate in which children with ADHD are raised has a significant impact on the demonstration of clinical symptoms (Barkley, 2015;Keown, 2012;Muñoz-Suazo et al, 2020;Salari et al, 2017), the results of this study seem surprising. It might seem that if there is a significant relationship between parental behavior (i.e., parental insensitivity to the needs of a child with ADHD and a positive attitude toward them), intrusive behavior, or an insecure attachment style, the opposite behavior, which is high-quality communication and satisfaction with family life, will constitute a protective factor for the cognitive functioning quality of a child with ADHD, which is one of the pivotal symptoms of this disorder.…”

“…Moreover, during childhood and adolescence, the environment begins to promote stereotypical behaviors consistent with the child’s sex, which significantly influences the parenting strategies. With regard to the relationship between the sex of a child with ADHD and the parenting style, the literature so far has been quite consistent: compared to families raising girls, those raising boys are characterized by a more authoritative style of upbringing ( Muñoz-Suazo et al, 2020 ). However, there have also been reports of the opposite direction of dependence, in which parents of girls used authoritative strategies more often ( Muñoz-Suazo et al, 2020 ).…”

“…With regard to the relationship between the sex of a child with ADHD and the parenting style, the literature so far has been quite consistent: compared to families raising girls, those raising boys are characterized by a more authoritative style of upbringing ( Muñoz-Suazo et al, 2020 ). However, there have also been reports of the opposite direction of dependence, in which parents of girls used authoritative strategies more often ( Muñoz-Suazo et al, 2020 ). To date, the topic of parenting styles in families raising children with ADHD has not been studied in detail in the Polish population.…”

The Influence of Youth and Parent Reports of Parental Knowledge and Monitoring and Reporting Discrepancy on High-Risk Youth Offending

“…For example, while the composition of our sample reflected the general youth offender population, we suspect gendered effects of parenting on offending likely exist. Studies have found that in some families, parental warmth as well as discipline styles varying based on gender of the child (see for example Munoz-Suazo, Navarro-Munoz, et al (2020). We strongly encourage researchers to consider these factors in future research endeavors.…”

The influence of youth and parent reports of parental knowledge and monitoring and reporting discrepancy on high risk youth offending

“…For example, while the composition of our sample reflected the general youth offender population, we suspect gendered effects of parenting on offending likely exist. Studies have found that in some families, parental warmth as well as discipline styles varying based on gender of the child (see for example Munoz‐Suazo et al (2020). We strongly encourage researchers to consider these factors in future research endeavors.…”