Jeffrey S. Danforth

Parenting of children with attention-defecit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): the role of parental ADHD symptomatology.

Objective: The present study examined the relation between parental ADHD symptomatology and parent-child behavior among 46 mothers and 26 fathers of ADHD children. Results: Fathers’ self-reports of inattention and impulsivity were strongly associated with self-reports of lax parenting both before and after parent training, and with self-reports of overreactivity after parent training. Fathers’ impulsivity was also associated with more arguing during audiotaped observations of parent-child interactions prior to parent training. Mothers’ self-reports of inattention were modestly associated with self-reports of laxness before and after parent training. Prior to parent training, there were nonlinear relations between mothers’ inattention and observations of mother-child behavior, with mothers who reported moderate levels of inattention engaging in the most negative parent-child interactions. After parent training, these relations were linear, with the mothers who reported the most inattention engaging in the most negative parent-child interactions. These results were weakened but were generally still significant when parental depression and alcohol use were controlled.

Validity of the parenting scale for parents of children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

The present study examined the validity of the parenting scale for parents of elementary school-aged children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Parents from 109 families with children who had been diagnosed with ADHD (106 mothers and 93 fathers) and from 70 families with non-problem children (69 mothers and 59 fathers) completed the parenting scale and reported on their childrens behavior problems. Factor analyses revealed two interpretable factors for both mothers and fathers, corresponding to the overreactivity and laxness factors identified in previous studies of the parenting scale. Overreactivity and laxness scores were significantly higher for mothers and fathers of ADHD children than of non-ADHD children; this effect appeared to be accounted for by comorbid aggression and conduct problems among ADHD children. Results support the validity of the parenting scale for use with parents of ADHD children.

ADHD: Does Parenting Style Matter?:

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a condition typically arising in childhood, which untreated, can have consequences reaching into adolescence and beyond. Effective pharmacological treatment is available and has become widespread in the West. Outcomes for both the child with ADHD and the parent may be influenced by the nature of interaction between them. The authors of this article aim to review published research examining the interaction between parents and their children with ADHD. A PubMed search was conducted of studies written in English between 2000 and 2007 with the keywords ADHD and parenting. Child ADHD elicits high levels of parental stress and maladaptive parenting. The presence of parental psychopathology is common and influences the parents response to the childs ADHD symptoms. Optimizing parent—child interaction and parental psychiatric status may improve outcomes for both parent and child.

The Relation Between Parental Coping Styles and Parent-Child Interactions Before and After Treatment for Children With ADHD and Oppositional Behavior

This study examined the relation between parental coping styles, discipline, and child behavior before and after participating in a parent training program for parents of children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and oppositional behavior. For mothers, use of more maladaptive and less adaptive coping styles was related to more self-reported lax and overreactive discipline, more observed coercive parenting, and more observed child misbehavior prior to parent training. No significant relations were found for mothers following parent training after controlling for pretreatment variables. For fathers, use of more maladaptive and less adaptive coping styles was related to self-reported lax discipline before and after parent training. Contrary to prediction, fathers who reported less seeking support and adaptive-focused coping showed the most improvement in their childrens behavior. Most results remained significant after controlling for self-reported depression. Implications for improving parent training research and programs were discussed.

The Outcome of Parent Training Using the Behavior Management Flow Chart with Mothers and Their Children with Oppositional Defiant Disorder and Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

The effects of parent training, using parameters established in the Behavior Management Flow Chart, on mother behavior and on the disruptive behavior of eight children who emitted behavior consistent with the diagnoses of both Oppositional Defiant Disorder and Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder were evaluated. There are important differences between the Behavior Management Flow Chart and well-known parent-training programs that are based on the Hanf model. Parent training was conducted within a multiple baseline design across children. Direct observation of mother and child behavior, phone interviews, and standardized rating scales showed that training improved parenting behavior, reduced maternal stress, and reduced oppositional child behavior. A 6-month follow-up revealed that parenting and child behavior remained stable. The results are comparable with prior research on behaviorl parent training for families that have children with oppositional/hyperactive behavior.

Interrater reliability of teacher rating scales for children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder

Interrater reliability of eight teacher rating scales designed to assess characteristics of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder was investigated. Coteachers of 46 students completed the rating scales. The students, ages 8–17, were designated as having a Serious Emotional Disturbance. The resulting interrater reliability correlation coefficients ranged from .62 to .87. The percentage of variance shared between raters ranged from a low of 38.4% (the ACTeRS Oppositional factor and the CBCL-TRF Attention Problems factor) to 75.7% (ADHD Rating Scale). The percent of shared variance was higher for younger children. Kappa scores evaluating rater agreement were highest at the two standard deviations above the mean cutoff. The reliability coefficients were consistent with those reported in prior research.

The Outcome of Parent Training Using the Behavior Management Flow Chart with a Mother and Her Twin Boys with Oppositional Defiant Disorder and Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

ABSTRACT The outcome of parent training, using the Behavior Management Flow Chart, on mother behavior and on the disruptive behavior of her monozygotic twin boys with Oppositional Defiant Disorder and Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder was evaluated. Direct observation, telephone interviews, and standardized rating scales showed that parent training reduced oppositional and aggressive child behavior, improved parenting behavior, and reduced maternal stress. A 6-month follow-up revealed stable outcomes. The results are consistent with prior research on behavioral parent training with the Behavior Management Flow Chart. Analyses of the data reveal how the twin boys individually responded to the parent training program and how the mother interacted with her sons differently.

The Behavior Management Flow Chart: a component analysis of behavior management strategies.

Representative published child behavior management research was reviewed. Based upon the review, a task analysis of child behavior management strategies was conducted. The Behavior Management Flow Chart is a flow chart of the task analysis that synthesizes the research into a cohesive unit and visually depicts actions that adults may be trained to use to manage misbehavior displayed by disruptive children. A discussion compares and contrasts the Behavior Management Flow Chart with Hanf-model behavior management programs, the appropriate unit of analysis is examined, and concerns regarding integrating a wide range of research variables into a unitary model are addressed.

Altering the function of commands presented to boys with oppositional and hyperactive behavior

Mentalistic and behavioral analyses of noncompliance among children with hyperactive behavior are contrasted. Then, a behavioral training program for 3 boys with behavior characteristic of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and oppositional defiant disorder is described. The child-focused training was conducted in conjunction with parent training. In an effort to increase the rate of compliance, the child-training program was designed to alter the function of parent commands by teaching the boys to verbalize rules about parent commands and consequences in the context of observing parent-child role-plays. Training was conducted within a multiple baseline design across children. Direct observation of mother-child interactions, telephone interviews, and standardized rating scales showed that training resulted in clinically significant reductions in noncompliance and improved parenting behavior. A 6-month follow-up revealed stable outcomes.

The Development of Comorbid Conduct Problems in Children With ADHD: An Example of an Integrative Developmental Psychopathology Perspective

Objective: We describe interactions among factors that contribute to the development of conduct problems among children with ADHD. Method: An integrative developmental psychopathology analysis combines various approaches and posits one model of how diverse risk factors operate together to contribute to the development of conduct problems among children with ADHD. Results: Substantial genetic risk increases covariation between ADHD and conduct problems. Candidate genes are associated with CNS monoaminergic neurotransmission. Subsequent neurodevelopmental impairment interferes with executive function, with impaired verbal working memory playing an important role. Parent/child bi-directional influences exacerbate the risk for conduct problems when ADHD symptoms increase the likelihood of a coercive parenting style. Parent stress in reaction to child comorbid ADHD and conduct problems, and parent attribution for the child’s conduct problem behavior, add to the potential for coercion and reduce constructive parent-child interaction that might otherwise enhance the development of verbal working memory. Conclusion: In an integrated manner, these variables increase the risk that a child with ADHD will subsequently develop conduct problems.