Abstract
This study examined the extent to which maternal attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms predict improvement
in child behavior following brief behavioral parent training. Change in parenting was examined as a potential mediator of
the negative relationship between maternal ADHD symptoms and improvement in child behavior. Seventy mothers of 6–10 year old
children with ADHD underwent a comprehensive assessment of adult ADHD prior to participating in an abbreviated parent training
program. Before and after treatment, parenting was assessed via maternal reports and observations and child disruptive behavior
was measured via maternal report. Controlling for pre-treatment levels, maternal ADHD symptomatology predicted post-treatment
child disruptive behavior problems. The relation between maternal ADHD symptomatology and improvement in child behavior was
mediated by change in observed maternal negative parenting. This study replicated findings linking maternal ADHD symptoms
with attenuated child improvement following parent training, and is the first to demonstrate that negative parenting at least
partially explains this relationship. Innovative approaches combining evidence-based treatment for adult ADHD with parent
training may therefore be necessary for families in which both the mother and child have ADHD. Larger-scale studies using
a full evidence-based parent training program are needed to replicate these findings.
in child behavior following brief behavioral parent training. Change in parenting was examined as a potential mediator of
the negative relationship between maternal ADHD symptoms and improvement in child behavior. Seventy mothers of 6–10 year old
children with ADHD underwent a comprehensive assessment of adult ADHD prior to participating in an abbreviated parent training
program. Before and after treatment, parenting was assessed via maternal reports and observations and child disruptive behavior
was measured via maternal report. Controlling for pre-treatment levels, maternal ADHD symptomatology predicted post-treatment
child disruptive behavior problems. The relation between maternal ADHD symptomatology and improvement in child behavior was
mediated by change in observed maternal negative parenting. This study replicated findings linking maternal ADHD symptoms
with attenuated child improvement following parent training, and is the first to demonstrate that negative parenting at least
partially explains this relationship. Innovative approaches combining evidence-based treatment for adult ADHD with parent
training may therefore be necessary for families in which both the mother and child have ADHD. Larger-scale studies using
a full evidence-based parent training program are needed to replicate these findings.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-11
- DOI 10.1007/s10802-011-9518-2
- Authors
- Andrea Chronis-Tuscano, Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
- Kelly A. O’Brien, Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
- Charlotte Johnston, Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Heather A. Jones, Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
- Tana L. Clarke, Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
- Veronica L. Raggi, Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
- Mary E. Rooney, Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
- Yamalis Diaz, Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
- Jessica Pian, Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
- Karen E. Seymour, Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA
- Journal Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology
- Online ISSN 1573-2835
- Print ISSN 0091-0627