Impacto dos sintomas de TDAH maternos sobre a parentalidade no primeiro ano de vida

Abstract

Objective: To investigate if maternal inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity symptoms early on pregnancy predict worse parenting during the first year of life. Methods: Eighty adolescents 14-19 years of age and their babies were included in a randomized controlled study designed to test the effect of a home-visiting program to improve child development. Young mothers were assessed during pregnancy and at 6 and 12 months for several outcomes. Multilevel linear regression for longitudinal data was conducted to test the effect of ADHD symptoms over four dimensions of parenting: maternal sense of competence, attachment to the child, organization of home environment and childhood maltreatment. The role of inattention and hyperactive-impulsive symptoms were investigated separately, taking into account the effect of maternal depressive symptoms, alcohol and marijuana use, child temperament, and the effect of the intervention. Results: Inattentive symptoms early in pregnancy predicted worse maternal sense of competence, more insecure attachment, worse organization of the home environment, and higher frequency of childhood maltreatment during the first year of life regardless of the effect of maternal depressive symptoms, alcohol and marijuana use, and child's temperament. Hyperactivity symptoms were not predictive of worse parenting. Conclusion: Assessment of maternal ADHD symptoms is an important goal of early intervention programs. Descriptors: Attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity; Mother-child relations; Parenting; Social vulnerability.