Stimulant medication in ADHD: what do children and their parents say?

Abstract

Objectives: The prescription of stimulant medication to children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder remains topical. Few reports target children's views about taking long-term medication. The aim was to assess child and parent views of stimulant medication. To compare attitudes to medication between two groups of children, those with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder taking stimulant medication and those with epilepsy taking anti-epileptic medication.Method: Forty children (n = 40) with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder on stimulant medication, and 40 children (n = 40) with epilepsy on anti-epileptic medication formed the study population. A semi-structured interview was carried out with each child and parent. Each parent completed the Dosage and Side-effects Questionnaire and the Attitude to Medication Questionnaire. Each child completed the Attitude to Medication Questionnaire.Results: Sixty per cent of children (n = 24) with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and 62.5% (n = 25) of those with epilepsy knew the name and purpose of their medication. Forty per cent (n = 16) of children in the stimulant group and 32.5% (n = 13) in the anti-epileptic group reported themselves as being non-compliant with medication. In both groups children reported positive aspects to taking medication. More children with epilepsy reported negative aspects. Only 32.5% (n = 13) of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder said that they would tell a friend about their medication, while 55% (n = 22) of the children with epilepsy indicated that they would do so. In both groups parents were better informed than their children were about the purpose of the medication. Parents of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder tended to be more positive about medication than their children and than the parents in the comparison group.Conclusions: The majority of children and their parents express positive views about the stimulant medication. Children's views about medication compliance and side-effects should be sought, as they may differ significantly from those of their parents. Where parents have noticed positive changes, but children have not, this information can be used therapeutically to help children feel more in control of their behaviour.

The Child’s Experience of ADHD

“…Another study investigating children's attributions about having ADHD, found that these children reported that their behavior is out of their control and global across situations (Kaidar, 2004). Similarly, children with ADHD have been able to report on the benefits of taking stimulant medication, with one study reporting that two-thirds of children with ADHD reported positives in taking stimulant medication (McElearney, Fitzpatrick, Farrell, King, & Lynch, 2005). In addition, children with ADHD have been reported to maintain their sense of self while taking medication (Singh, 2007).…”

Processes of Influence Between Groups of Actors Concerning the use of Ritalin® and Analogous Medications by Children

“…Some researchers seek to draw a connection between the severity of the behavioural symptoms of the child diagnosed with ADHD and possible parental weaknesses, including the mother's sense of incompetence (McLaughlin & Harrison, 2006), mother-son relations (Wallace, 2005), parental anxiety and family functioning (Kashdan et al, 2004), and parents' inability to use diagnostic grids of objective measures (Curko, Marks, Berwid, Santra, & Halperin, 2004). Investigators also examine parental influence on the attitudes of children regarding medication as a function of the parents' expectations (McElearney, Fitzpatrick, Farrell, King, & Lynch, 2005;Traywick, Lamson, Diamond, & Carawan, 2006). Other researchers, though, seek to understand the experiences of parents by studying the effect of receiving a diagnosis (Gerdes, 2005;Saltmarsh, McDougall, & Downey, 2005).…”

Pediatric Psychotropic Medication Initiation and Adherence: A Literature Review Based on Social Exchange Theory

“…Meaux, Hester, Smith, and Shoptaw (2006) found social stigma and feeling different from peers were reasons why children stopped taking medications for ADHD. In addition, McElearney, Fitzpatrick, Farrell, King, & Lynch (2005) found only 32% of children who were taking stimulant medication for ADHD were willing to tell their peers that they were on medication.…”