Utilizing the Common-Sense model of illness representations to explore children’s perceptions of, and coping with ADHD

Abstract

Background: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) among children is associated with difficulties in everyday functioning. According to the Common-Sense Model of Illness Representations (CSM), individuals' beliefs about their illness condition guide their attempts to cope with it. The model suggests five dimensions of illness representations: beliefs regarding the identity of the symptoms, its duration, causes, consequences, and one's ability to achieve control over it. Aims: The study aimed to explore the validity of the CSM-dimensions of illness representations for children with ADHD, while also exploring the possible relationships between types of beliefs and coping strategies. Method: A deductive qualitative content analysis was used for analyzing data constructed from semistructured individual interviews with 14 children diagnosed with ADHD. Results: The results have shown that there is a variation in children's beliefs regarding their ADHD. Those beliefs are, for the most part, captured by the five CSM-dimensions. An additional dimension of 'Uniqueness' is suggested, which reflects children's beliefs on the way ADHD distinguishes them from other children. Patterns regarding types of beliefs and types of coping strategies were identified. Conclusions: The CSM is a useful theoretical model to understand children's beliefs of, and coping with their ADHD.

Adolescents' qualitative expressions of functional seizure illness representation

“…Just as our study demonstrated illness representation characteristics aligned with adolescents' description of functional seizures, Ringer (2021) found the characteristics to reflect the beliefs of adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Ringer (2021) also inductively identified an additional theme, uniqueness , that captured additional condition beliefs not included in the original five characteristics. Several responses from adolescents with functional seizures in our study could have been coded under the theme of uniqueness, or how functional seizures make them different from other adolescents.…”

“…Deacon's (2023) qualitative study among adolescents with type 1 diabetes highlighted the importance of considering adolescents' developmental stage, namely identity development, when investigating their illness representations versus that of adults. Illness representations have been explored among children and adolescents with not only type 1 diabetes (Deacon, 2023;Huston & Houk, 2011), but also sickle cell disease (Huston & Houk, 2011), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (Ringer, 2021), dental caries (Nelson et al, 2019), asthma (Tiggelman et al, 2014), inflammatory bowel disease (Silva et al, 2018), and chronic fatigue syndrome (Gray & Rutter, 2007). Researchers have also explored illness representations among adolescents and young adults with anxiety and depression, finding a strong emphasis on personal and treatment control of their mental health (Bear et al, 2021).…”

Diabetes representations on adherence and quality of life: Do parents and adolescents differ?

“…During adolescence, the relationship between adolescents and parents may be conflicted, because of adolescents' desire for autonomy from parents and the demands for more responsibility (Almeida et al, 2013), and the fact that the presence of a chronic illness tends to hinder these developmental changes (Miller, 2018). However, the family environment is an important factor in the self‐management process of a chronic illness and may influence either the development of adolescents' illness representations or the adherence and well‐being of adolescents with T1D (Grey et al, 2015; Ringer, 2021). In fact, communication patterns, support, and health beliefs within the family environment shape adolescents' illness representations, which influence their emotional and behavioral responses to diabetes management, which in turn impacts diabetes outcomes (Broadbent et al, 2015).…”