Parenting styles and mental health in parents of children with ADHD

Abstract

The study evaluated possible correlations between behavioral profiles, perceptions of quality of life and social support, and parenting practices adopted by 26 mothers of children and adolescents with ADHD, diagnosed by the same neurologist. The average age was 9.5 years, with participants from the 1st year of primary school to the first year of high school. Data showed that patterns characterized by negative practices are associated with a higher frequency of behavioral problems, and less indicators of adaptive functioning in caregivers. Negative parenting practices are also most often used by people with low social and family support indicators as well as quality of life. On the other hand, positive practices are associated with appropriate behaviors and improved adaptive functioning, social support and quality of life.