Repertoires of ADHD in UK newspaper media

Abstract

This article applies discourse analysis to examine how Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder has been represented and debated in UK newspapers in the last decade. Two repertoires of ADHD are identified as the biological and the psychosocial. The analysis shows how subjectivities are embedded in these repertoires, such that constructions of the problem child, abnormal or ordinary naughty child and ineffectual, neglectful, or confused parents support alternative versions of ADHD.The biological repertoire justifies and encourages drug treatment for ADHD whilst the psychosocial repertoire supports moral judgements about parenting practices in a 'sick society'. Although these might be seen as competing repertoires, they also represent two different ways that media representations encourage families to regulate themselves in dealing with ADHD.

How French media have portrayed ADHD to the lay public and to social workers

“…Horton-Salway (2011) examined how UK newspapers have represented ADHD and identified two repertoires: the biological and the psychosocial. The biological repertoire describes ADHD as a neurological pathology and encourages its medication.…”

“…The psychosocial repertoire put forward inadequate parenting practices and social problems such as poor school systems, excessive TV exposure or high level of premature birth. Horton-Solway (2011) observed that the psychosocial repertoire was dominant in UK newspapers during 2000–2009. However, Schmitz, Filippone, and Edelman (2003) identified the biological model of ADHD as dominant in US newspapers during 1988–1997 (Schmitz et al, 2003).…”

Heroic struggles, criminals and scientific breakthroughs: ADHD and the medicalization of child behaviour in Australian newsprint media 1999–2009

“…Not surprisingly, ADHD is a topic often covered in the newsprint media (Gonon, Konsman, Cohen, & Boraud, 2012; Horton-Salway, 2011). As Horton-Salway (2011) describe in one of the few studies of this topic, ADHD has become increasingly common in UK newsprint media reports of child behaviour.…”

“…As Horton-Salway (2011) describe in one of the few studies of this topic, ADHD has become increasingly common in UK newsprint media reports of child behaviour. This author points to ontological distinctions in UK newsprint media representations between the biological and the psychosocial (Horton-Salway, 2011, p. 36).…”

“…As Horton-Salway (2011) describe in one of the few studies of this topic, ADHD has become increasingly common in UK newsprint media reports of child behaviour. This author points to ontological distinctions in UK newsprint media representations between the biological and the psychosocial (Horton-Salway, 2011, p. 36). While relatively little is available on ADHD, the issue of media and medicalization has been noted in a broader body of literature (Campbell, 2011; Seale, Boden, Williams, Lowe, & Steinberg, 2007).…”