Date of Award
2020
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department
Psychology
Abstract
Several studies have evaluated child and family factors that impact informant ratings of ADHD symptoms, however few studies have examined factors that may impact ratings of ADHD-related impairment. The present study evaluated several child and family factors (i.e. age, gender, family income, ethnicity), to understand the possible influence these factors have on parent and teacher ratings of impairment. Based on a sample of 322 participants, parent and teacher ratings of ADHD symptoms were found to be strongly correlated with ratings of ADHD-related impairment. In addition, child age and gender were found to be significantly correlated with ratings of impairment. Teachers rated boys and younger children higher in peer impairment as compared to girls and older children, whereas parents provided higher ratings of peer impairment for girls as compared to boys. Demographic variables (i.e. age, gender, ethnicity, family income, ODD symptoms) were no longer associated with ratings of impairment after ratings of ADHD symptoms were accounted for. The results of the current study suggest that child and family factors may be less influential on informant ratings of impairment as compared to informant ratings of ADHD symptoms. Results revealed a stronger association between ratings of symptoms and ratings of impairment for teachers as compared to parents, perhaps reflecting the greater impact of ADHD symptoms on behavior in the classroom as compared to home. Given the low percentage of variance accounted for in analyses considering parent ratings, it may be that other parent or family related factors not considered in the present study (e.g. parental stress, parental psychopathology), may influence parent ratings of ADHD-related impairment. The current research has implications for better understanding how to make sense of possible variations between ratings of ADHD-symptomology and impairment, to assist in the assessment, treatment, and understanding of ADHD.
Recommended Citation
Korsmo, Amanda, "Influence Of Child And Family Factors On Parent And Teacher Ratings Of Impairment" (2020). All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 1970.
https://scholars.indianastate.edu/etds/1970