Date of Award
1997
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department
Psychology
Abstract
The study investigated the concerns and perceptions of parents of children and adolescents with Attention-Deficit-Hyperactivity-Disorder (ADHD). Parental concerns regarding behaviors, skill deficits, and settings were identified as well as the helpfulness of interventions and professionals. The Parent Perception Opinionnaire for Parents of Children and Adolescents with ADHD was constructed. Data were collected from 112 members of a parent support group. The data were summarized according to ages 8 and less (primary), ages 9 through 11 (intermediate) and ages 12 through 17 (secondary). The highest ranked concerns of parents were symptoms of inattention, distractibility and hyperactivity. Regarding skills deficits, highest concerns were with listening skills and developing social skills with peers. Emotional concerns were consistently identified to be of low concern to the parents. In regard to settings, parents were first concerned with behaviors in school, then community and home. Medication, parent support groups, and specialEducation were consistently rated as the most helpful interventions for all three age groups. Behavioral techniques were rated more helpful than cognitive or insight-oriented techniques. Parents also perceived a strong need for school-based interventions to be developed at all age groups, especially the secondary level. The parents indicated that clinical psychologists who utilized behavioral techniques were the most helpful professionals. The results of this study indicated that if interventions are to be developed that are responsive to the concerns and perceptions of parents, then interventions should include a medical and behaviorally oriented component. The focus should be on developing interventions to manage inattention and impulsivity, improve listening skills, improve social skills with peers, and be generalizable to the school setting.
Recommended Citation
Viola, Stephen Gerard, "Concerns And Perceptions Of Parents Of Children And Adolescents With Attention-Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder" (1997). All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 784.
https://scholars.indianastate.edu/etds/784