Jennifer Theule

Parenting Stress in Families of Children With ADHD A Meta-Analysis

Meta-analyses were conducted to examine findings on the association between parenting stress and ADHD. Predictors comprising child, parent, and contextual factors, and methodological and demographic moderators of the relationship between parenting stress and ADHD, were examined. Findings from 22 published and 22 unpublished studies were included. Results confirmed that parents of children with ADHD experience more parenting stress than parents of nonclinical controls and that severity of ADHD symptoms was associated with parenting stress. Child co-occurring conduct problems and parental depressive symptomatology predicted parenting stress. Parents of children with ADHD experienced no more parenting stress than parents of other clinically referred children. Little difference in parenting stress was found between mothers and fathers, but child gender was a significant moderator of parenting stress, with lower stress levels in samples with higher proportions of girls.

Efficacy of the Circle of Security Intervention: A Meta-Analysis

ABSTRACT The Circle of Security (COS) intervention aims to teach caregivers to become more responsive to their children’s needs. The present study is a meta-analysis that examined the efficacy of the COS intervention in relation to child attachment patterns, quality of caregiving, caregiver self-efficacy, and caregiver depression. Studies were eligible if they carried out a version of the COS intervention and provided quantitative data amenable to meta-analysis. A total of 10 studies were determined eligible for this meta-analysis. A random effects model was used and Hedge’s g was calculated for the overall effect sizes. Results indicated a medium effect size for the efficacy of the intervention for child attachment security (g = 0.65, p = .003, k = 4), quality of caregiving (g = 0.60, p = .012, k = 4) and reduction of caregiver depression (g = 0.53, p < .001, k = 3). There was a significant large effect for improved caregiver self-efficacy (g = 0.98, p < .001, k = 2). Results suggest that while the efficacy of the COS intervention demonstrates promising results, more research is needed.

Exploring the Relationships Between Problem Gambling and ADHD: A Meta-Analysis

Objective: At present, there are inconsistencies in the literature pertaining to the association between ADHD and problem gambling. This study utilized meta-analytic techniques to clarify the association between symptoms of problem gambling and symptoms of ADHD. Method: Several meta-analyses were conducted using a random effects model. PsycINFO, PubMed, ProQuest Dissertations & Theses, and Google Scholar were searched for relevant studies. Results: The weighted mean correlation between ADHD symptomology and gambling severity was r = .17, 95% confidence interval (CI) = [0.12, 0.22], p < .001. Mean age of the sample was the only moderator to approach significance, with greater age being linked to a stronger relationship between symptoms of ADHD and gambling severity. Conclusion: Clinicians needs to be cognizant of the greater risk of ADHD symptoms when working with problem gamblers and vice versa.

Evaluating the Efficacy of Equine Therapy Among At-risk Youth: A Meta-analysis

ABSTRACT The present meta-analysis examined the efficacy of equine therapy among an at-risk youth population. Seven studies quantitatively assessed the treatment effects following involvement in an equine therapy program. The random effects model was used to aggregate each study into an overall effect size. Seven effect sizes were included in the pre-versus post-comparison analysis. The results indicate a medium effect size (g = 0.714, p < 0.001, 95% CI [0.364, 1.064]). Five effect sizes were included in the treat-ment versus control comparison analysis. The results also indicate a medium effect size (g = 0.402, p = 0.002, 95% C.I. [0.149, 0.655]). Lack of consis-tently reported study variables across studies was a limitation that resulted in the inability to run moderator analyses. However, the results indicate that equine therapy is a viable alternative to conventional intervention strategies among at-risk youth.

Animal-assisted Psychotherapy and Trauma: A Meta-analysis

ABSTRACT The present meta-analysis examined the efficacy of animal-assisted psychotherapy for individuals who have experienced trauma. Eight studies quantitatively assessed the treatment effects of involvement in animal-assisted psychotherapy. A random effects model was used to aggregate each study into an overall effect size. Eight effect sizes were included in the pre-versus post-comparison analysis. The results indicate a large effect size (Hedge’s g = 0.86, p < 0.001, 95% CI [.53, 1.18]). Two effect sizes were included in the treatment versus control comparison analysis. The results indicated a small to moderate effect size (g = 0.46, p = 0.03, 95% CI [0.04, 0.06]). Limited moderator analyses were able to be conducted due to lack of consistent reporting across studies. Place of study and percentage of female participants in the treatment group were found to statistically moderate the effect of animal-assisted psychotherapy. The results indicate that animal-assisted therapy is an efficacious treatment for trauma.

The Association Between Peer Victimization and Attachment Security: A Meta-Analysis

Numerous studies have explored the relationship between parent–child attachment and peer victimization, a problem for many Canadian children and youth; however, research in this area has been mixed. The present study utilized meta-analytic procedures to clarify the relationship between parent–child attachment and peer victimization. A random effects model was used to complete these analyses. Following extensive database searches, 16 studies were found to be eligible for inclusion. A significant relationship was found between attachment security and peer victimization, r = −.14, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [−.18, −.10], p < .001. Sample ethnicity was the only significant moderator; samples with higher proportions of White participants had a stronger relationship between attachment and peer victimization. Although the results of this study highlight the existence of a relationship between attachment relationships and peer victimization, modest effect sizes suggest that this relationship is likely indirect, with other key variables mediating this relationship.