ADHD Medication Vacations and Parent–Child Interactions by Gender

Abstract

Results of the current study conclude with directions for future research and practice.

Examining Breaks and Resistance in Medication Adherence Among Adolescents With ADHD as Associated With School Outcomes

“…Perceptions of these medication vacations do appear to interact with a child’s gender and the gender of the parent. Barnard-Brak, Schmidt, and Sulak (2013) found that fathers appeared to be more supportive of medication vacations in their sons versus daughters, while among mothers, they were not more or less likely to support medication vacations for their sons or daughters. These results do appear to be associated with the medication adherence pattern according to gender such that Sobanski et al (2014) found that males with ADHD were significantly less likely to adhere to their prescribed medication as compared with females.…”

“…With respect to resisting medications, we statistically controlled for sex, age, adverse events, and relationship with parents. We statistically controlled for sex with respect to both resisting medication and medication breaks as some literature has indicated differences in parent perceptions of medication adherence (Barnard-Brak, Schmidt, & Sulak, 2013). We statistically controlled for age as we hypothesized that older children have more autonomy and would be better able to resist medication.…”

“…As research has indicated that ADHD medication is associated with better school outcomes for children and adolescents (e.g., Loe & Feldman, 2007; Molina et al, 2009; Prasad et al, 2013), it appears that the decision to adhere or not adhere to medication would appear to be related to school outcomes. Notably, medication vacations are often mentioned as being on the weekend or during holidays when school is not in session (e.g., Barnard-Brak, Schmidt, & Sulak, 2013; Ibrahim & Donyai, 2015). In addition, Barnard-Brak, Schmidt, Wei, Parker, and Attai (2013) found that parents tended to perceive ADHD as a disorder with academic implications, which may be related to schools being the source of initial referral in many cases (DuPaul & Stoner, 2014; Sciutto, Nolfi, & Bluhm, 2004).…”

Drug Holidays From ADHD Medication

“…The majority of studies (13) included in this review provided information on the prevalence of drug holidays from ADHD medications by reporting either on uptake by parents or practice by doctors (see Table 3). Anything from 25% to almost 60% of families (with an average of 43%) surveyed in 6 of these studies appear to skip medication administration at some point during the treatment course especially at weekends and summer holidays (see Figure 2; Barnard-Brak, Schmidt, & Sulak, 2013; Dosreis et al, 2003; Faraone, Biederman, & Zimmerman, 2007; Hugtenburg et al, 2005; Snyman & Truter, 2012; Wilens et al, 2005). The main source of information about utilizing drug holidays in these studies was parents of children and adolescents with ADHD.…”

Situation‐specific outcomes (Home Situations Questionnaire) in a randomized controlled trial of individual versus group parent training for children with Hyperkinetic Disorder/Attention‐deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

“…They concluded that the interpersonal relationships that guide expectations about negative consequences affect the expression of emotions and oppositional behaviour. They did not distinguish between parents, but the literature on fathers suggests a need to consider them separately from mothers in their approach to child rearing and treatment (e.g., Barnard‐Brak et al, 2012; Calzada et al, 2004; Dadds et al, 2018). The literature on co‐parenting problems also underlines the importance of considering the role of fathers in addition to mothers for children with externalizing problems (e.g., Murphy et al, 2016).…”