Date of Award

Fall 12-1-1993

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Communication Disorders and Counseling, School, and Educational Psychology

First Advisor

Karl B. Zucker

Second Advisor

John E. Carter

Abstract

This investigation examined the presence of personality disorders in the mothers of children with an Attention- Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD). This was accomplished by examining 60 male subjects ages 6 to 12. The Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-II (MCMI-II) was administered to 20 mothers of children with ADHD, 20 mothers of children with ADHD and CD and a matched comparison group who did not meet the criteria for ADHD or CD. Repeated analysis of variance (ANOVAS) and Chi Square analyses were calculated on each MCMI-II scale and the Duncan's multiple range test was utilized to determine statistical significance. Data analyses revealed that mothers of children who have ADHD and CD demonstrated significantly more personality disorders than the mothers of children who have only ADHD. The comparison group had no significant personality disorders when compared to the other two groups. Significant scores were found on the Avoidant, Passive; Aggressive, Self-Defeating, Paranoid and Dysthymia scales. CD in the male children appears to have a relationship to the psychopathology in the mothers. There was no relationship found in this study between mother psychopathology and ADHD in their children.

Download

Share

COinS