Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Parenting stress among families of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

  • Published:
Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Prior research has shown that parenting stress levels can be quite high among families of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This study investigated the degree to which such stress was related not only to the child's ADHD, but also to various other child, parent, and family-environment circumstances. Multimethod assessments were conducted on 104 clinic-referred children with ADHD. Data collected from these subjects were entered into hierarchical multiple-regression analyses, utilizing the Parenting Stress Index as the criterion. The results showed that child and parent characteristics accounted for a substantial portion of the variance in overall parenting stress. The child's oppositional-defiant behavior and maternal psychopathology were especially potent predictors. The severity of the child's ADHD, the child's health status, and maternal health status also emerged as significant predictors. These findings are discussed in terms of their impact upon the clinical management of children with ADHD.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abidin, R. (1986).Parenting Stress Index (2nd ed.). Charlottesville, VA: Pediatric Psychology Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Achenbach, T. M., & Edelbrock, C. (1983).Manual for the Child Behavior Checklist and Revised Child Behavior Profile. Burlington, VT: Thomas Achenbach.

    Google Scholar 

  • American Psychiatric Association (1987).Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (3rd ed., rev.). Washington, DC: Author.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barkley, R. A. (1989). Hyperactive girls and boys: Stimulant drug effects on mother-child interactions.Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 30, 379–390.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barkley, R. A. (1990).Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: A handbook for diagnosis and treatment. New York: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barkley, R. A., Anastopoulos, A. D., Guevremont, D. C., & Fletcher, K. E. (1991). Adolescents with ADHD: Patterns of behavioral adjustment, academic functioning, and treatment utilization.Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 30, 752–761.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barkley, R. A., DuPaul, G. J., & McMurray, M. (1990). A comprehensive evaluation of attention deficit disorder with and without hyperactivity defined by research criteria.Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 58, 775–789.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barkley, R. A., Fischer, M., Edelbrock, C. S., & Smallish, L. (1990). The adolescent outcome of hyperactive children diagnosed by research criteria, I: An 8 year prospective follow-up study.Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 29, 546–557.

    Google Scholar 

  • Befera, M. S., & Barkley, R. A. (1985). Hyperactive and normal girls and boys: Mother-child interactions, parent psychiatric status, and child psychopathology.Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 26, 439–452.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bell, R., & Harper, L. (1977).Child effects on adults. Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bendell, R., Culbertson, J., Shelton, T., & Carter, B. (1986). Interrupted infantile apnea: Impact on early development, temperament, and maternal stress.Journal of Clinical Child Psychology, 15, 304–310.

    Google Scholar 

  • Berry, C. A., Shaywitz, S. E., & Shaywitz, B. A. (1985). Girls with attention deficit disorder: A silent minority? A report on behavioral and cognitive characteristics.Pediatrics, 76, 801–809.

    Google Scholar 

  • Breen, M., & Barkley, R. A. (1988). Parenting stress and child psychopathology in ADHD boys and girls,Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 13, 265–280.

    Google Scholar 

  • Campbell, S. B., Breaux, A. M., Ewing, L. J., Szumowski, E. K., & Pierce, E. W. (1986). Parent-identified problem preschoolers: Mother-child interaction during play at intake and 1-year follow-up.Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 14, 425–440.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cunningham, C. E., & Barkley, R. A. (1979). The interactions of normal and hyperactive children with their mothers during free play and structured tasks.Child Development, 50, 217–224.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cunningham, C. E., Benness, B. B., & Siegel, L. S. (1988). Family functioning, time allocation, and parental depression in the families of normal and ADHD children.Journal of Clinical Child Psychology, 17, 169–177.

    Google Scholar 

  • Derogatis, L. (1983).Manual for the Symptom Checklist 90-Revised (SCL 90-R). Baltimore, MD: Author.

    Google Scholar 

  • DuPaul, G. J. (1991). Parent and teacher ratings of ADHD symptoms: Psychometric properties in a community based sample.Journal of Clinical Child Psychology, 20, 245–253.

    Google Scholar 

  • Edelbrock, C. S., & Achenbach, T. A. (1984). The teacher version of the Child Behavior Profile: I. Boys aged 6–11.Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 52, 207–217.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fischer, M. (1990). Parenting stress and the child with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.Journal of Clinical Child Psychology, 19, 337–346.

    Google Scholar 

  • Frank, S. J., Olmsted, C. L., Wagner, A. E., Laub, C. C., Freeark, K., Breitzer, G. M., & Peters, J. M. (1991). Child illness, the parenting alliance, and parenting stress.Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 16, 361–371.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gillberg, C., Carlstrom, G., & Rasmussen, P. (1983). Hyperkinetic disorders in seven-year-old children with perceptual, motor, and attentional deficits.Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 24, 233–246.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goyette, C. H., Conners, C. K., & Ulrich, R. F. (1978). Normative data on Revised Conners Parent and Teacher Rating Scales.Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 6, 221–236.

    Google Scholar 

  • Guevremont, D. C. (1990). Social skills and peer relationship training. In R. A. Barkley,Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: A handbook for diagnosis and treatment (pp. 540–571). New York: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hartsough, C. S., & Lambert, N. M. (1985). Medical factors in hyperactive and normal children: Prenatal, developmental, and health history findings.American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 55, 190–210.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hollingshead, A. B. (1975).Four factor index of social status. New Haven, CT: Yale University.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jouriles, E. N., Murphy, C. M., & O'Leary, K. D. (1989). Effects of maternal mood on mother-son interaction patterns.Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 17, 513–525.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lahey, B. B., Piacentini, J., McBurnett, K., Stone, P., Hatdagen, S., & Hynd, G. (1988). Psychopathology in the parents of children with conduct disorder and hyperactivity.Journal of the American Academy of Child Psychiatry, 27, 163–170.

    Google Scholar 

  • Loney, J., & Milich, R. (1982). Hyperactivity, inattention, and aggression in clinical practice. In D. Routh & M. Wolraich (Eds.),Advances in developmental and behavioral pediatrics (Vol. 3, pp. 113–147). Greenwich, CT: JAI Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Margalit, M., & Arieli, N. (1984). Emotional and behavioral aspects of hyperactivity.Journal of Learning Disabilities, 17, 374–376.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mash, E. J., & Johnston, C. (1983a). Parental perceptions of child behavior problems, parenting self-esteem, and mothers' reported stress in younger and older hyperactive and normal children.Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 51, 68–99.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mash, E. J., & Johnston, C. (1983b). Sibling interactions of hyperactive and normal children and their relationship to reports of maternal stress and self-esteem.Journal of Clinical Child Psychology, 12, 91–99.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mash, E. J., & Johnston, C. (1990). Determinants of parenting stress: Illustrations from families of hyperactive children and families of physically abused children.Journal of Clinical Child Psychology, 19, 313–338.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pelham, W. E., & Bender, M. E. (1982). Peer relationships in hyperactive children: Description and treatment. In K. D. Gadow & I. Bialer (Eds.),Advances in learning and behavioral disabilities (Vol. 1, pp. 365–436). Greenwich, CT: JAI Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schachar, R., Taylor, E., Wieselberg, M., Thorley, G., & Rutter, M. (1987). Changes in family function and relationships in children who respond to methylphenidate.Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 26, 728–732.

    Google Scholar 

  • Szatmari, P., Offord, D. R., & Boyle, M. (1989). Correlates, associated impairments, and patterns of service utilization of children with attention deficit disorders: Findings from the Ontario child health study.Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 30, 205–217.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tallmadge, J. M., Paternite, C. E., & Gordon, M. (1989, April).Hyperactivity and aggression in parent-child interactions: Test of a two-factor theory. Paper presented at the meeting of the Society for Research in Child Development, Kansas City.

  • Thorndike, R. L., Hagen, E. P., & Sattler, J. M. (1986).The Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale (4th ed.). Chicago: Riverside Publishing Company.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wechsler, D. (1974).The Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised. New York: Psychological Corporation.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Assumption College, 01615, Worcester, Massachusetts

    Terri L. Shelton

  2. Department of Psychiatry, University of Massachusetts Medical Center, 55 Lake Avenue North, 01655, Worcester, Massachusetts

    Arthur D. Anastopoulos, David C. Guevremont & George J. DuPaul

Authors
  1. Arthur D. Anastopoulos
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. David C. Guevremont
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Terri L. Shelton
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. George J. DuPaul
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

The authors are grateful to Mary Maher and Paula Nevins for their assistance in collecting and coding the data. The authors would also like to thank Dr. Kenneth Fletcher for his helpful comments regarding the statistical analyses.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Anastopoulos, A.D., Guevremont, D.C., Shelton, T.L. et al. Parenting stress among families of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. J Abnorm Child Psychol 20, 503–520 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00916812

Download citation

  • Revised:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00916812

Keywords

Search

Navigation