Task Palatability, But Not Structure, Differentially Influences Mother–Child Interactions in Attention‐Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Children With and Without Oppositional Defiant Disorder

Abstract

Objective To assess whether preschoolers with attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) behave differently during mother–child interaction tasks as a function of task palatability and whether differences are associated with the presence of comorbid oppositional defiant disorder (ODD). Methods Typically developing, ADHD, and ADHD + ODD children and their mothers participated in digitally recorded interactions, which included three 5‐min tasks, differing in level of palatability/engagement and parental structure (Free Play Task = highly engaging, not structured; Paper and Pencil Task = not engaging, highly structured; Duplo Task = highly engaging, structured). Results Mixed ANOVAs revealed that positive engagement, but not structure, differentially improved the behaviour of children with ADHD + ODD. Discussion Although ADHD and ODD are associated with more negative behaviours during the mother–child interaction, those with comorbid ADHD + ODD exhibit differentially greater impairment during relatively boring tasks. Implications for treatment are discussed. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Assessing preschoolers interactive behaviour: A validation study of the “Coding System for Mother–Child Interaction”

“…These previous coding systems have been extensively used in research on mother–child interactions and found to be valid and reliable measures of both individual and dyadic behaviours. The new Coding System for Mother–Child Interactions has recently been evaluated in research studies, which report good intercoder reliability and therefore underline the value of this new coding system (Gopin, Healey, Grossman, Campbel, & Halperin, ; Healey et al, ; Rajendran, Kruszewski, & Halperin, ).…”

“…The new Coding System for Mother-Child Interactions has recently been evaluated in research studies, which report good intercoder reliability and therefore underline the value of this new coding system (Gopin, Healey, Grossman, Campbel, & Halperin, 2011;Healey et al, 2010;Rajendran, Kruszewski, & Halperin, 2016).…”