Øyfrid Larsen Moen

Contending and Adapting Every Day: Norwegian Parents’ Lived Experience of Having a Child With ADHD

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common childhood disorders, and little attention has been paid to the parents and their experiences. The aim of this study was to gain a deeper understanding of the Norwegian parents’ lived experiences of having a child with an ADHD diagnosis. A descriptive design using phenomenological approach was chosen as the research method. Individual qualitative interviews with nine parents, who were members of the ADHD Association, were conducted. The interviews were analyzed according to Colaizzi’s method. The essential structure of the parents’ experiences was Contending and Adapting Every Day—Windsurfing in unpredictable waters which was embedded in the interrelated main themes: Maintaining the Self and Parenthood, and Interacting With the Surrounding World. Being the parent of a child with ADHD is a demanding situation. Nurses need to address the needs of these parents and focus on the family unit.

Parental perception of family functioning in everyday life with a child with ADHD

Aim: The aim of this study was to describe and investigate family characteristics in relation to support, behaviour of the child, family functioning and sense of coherence from the parents’ perspective in families with a child with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). A further aim was to explore predictors of family functioning. Methods: The study population consisted of 1964 parents of children with ADHD aged 15 years old and younger. In all, 265 parents responded to a questionnaire (response rate 48.2%; 217 mothers and 48 fathers). In addition to questions about the parents, children, family characteristics and support from health services, the questionnaire included the Family Assessment Device (FAD), the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), Sense of Coherence (SOC) and Social Cohesion and Support Index (SCS). Data were analysed with descriptive, comparative and standard multiple regression analyses. Results: Parents with ADHD reported a weaker SOC and poorer FAD in the family than parents without ADHD. Parents with children medicated for ADHD were significantly more satisfied with social support (SCS), rated their children’s behaviour as less problematic and reported better family functioning. Parents’ age, SOC, SCS, SDQ and support from the community health services explained 46.2% of the variation in FAD. Conclusions: A strong SOC, social support and support from the community health services were strongly associated with a positive effect on family functioning. Parents with ADHD reported a weaker SOC and poorer family functioning than parents without ADHD. This knowledge may be useful and should be taken into account when planning support for such families.

Undergraduate Nursing Students' Evaluation of the Debriefing Phase in Mental Health Nursing Simulation.

The debriefing phase in mental health nursing simulation promotes a reflexive learning process with the opportunity to develop metacognitive and nontechnical skills. The aim of this quantitative study was to describe undergraduate nursing students’ evaluation of their experience during the debriefing phase following high fidelity human simulation (HFHS). Data was collected using the “Debriefing Experience Scale” and analysed with descriptive and comparative tests. The debriefing phase was evaluated as very good. Background data and group size revealed few significant differences. Students with little clinical praxis evaluated having time to acknowledge feelings as important. Differences between groups revealed that groups should consist of up to eighteen students.

Public health nurses’ experience, involvement and attitude concerning mental health issues in a school setting:

The aim of the study was to describe and explore public health nurses’ perceptions of involvement and their attitudes concerning the mental health aspects of their work in schools. Furthermore, we wished to explore their need for useful approaches and training topics. The teenage years in particular are associated with an incidence of mental health problems such as depression. Public health nurses in schools have an extensive role in relation to health promotion and the prevention of both physical and mental health. A cross-sectional study with 284 public health nurses from 163 municipalities in Norway was carried out, using the Depression Attitude Questionnaire. The public health nurses reported various degrees of confidence and time spent working with mental health issues. Confidence was found to be related to further education and courses.

Family Functioning, Psychological Distress, and Well-Being in Parents with a Child Having ADHD

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common behavioral disorders in children. Children with ADHD have difficulties regarding the regulation of their emotions and activities and of the maintenance of attention and impulse control. Families with children with ADHD encounter many challenges, and the public health nurse is highlighted as helping and supporting these families. The aim of this study was to investigate families with a child having ADHD from the parents’ perspective. A cross-sectional study was performed. In total, N = 264 parents of children with ADHD, 217 mothers and 47 fathers (48.2%), responded on a questionnaire regarding psychological distress, family sense of coherence, and family functioning. Parents with ADHD and parents with children not medicated for ADHD seemed most vulnerable. Parents’ well-being and psychological distress seem to influence family functioning the most, with the behavior of the child with ADHD and support from the community health services had importance.

Adolescents' mental health, help seeking and service use and parents' perception of family functioning

The adolescent population is facing mental-health challenges such as depression and anxiety. The aim of this study was to describe and investigate the mental health of adolescents, their relation to their parents, who they contact for help and their healthcare service use. A further objective was to describe and investigate family functioning in parents. A cross-sectional design was employed using register data from a survey of adolescents (n = 46,961), and surveys were conducted of two groups of parents – one group of parents with children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (n = 264) and one group of parents with school children (n = 157). Descriptive and comparative statistics were used. Of the adolescents, 5.65% were quite distressed. This group of adolescents would be less likely to seek help from friends and parents than the other adolescents. They were also more likely to use all types of healthcare services, and parents reported that they avoided discussing fears and concerns. School nurses are low-threshold professionals who can contribute in early support and interventions, providing service to all school pupils with an open-door policy. The use of family conversations focusing on strengths and resources may help the families to talk about difficult matters and highlight the resources in the family.