The importance of familial risk factors in children with ADHD: direct and indirect effects of family adversity, parental psychopathology and parenting practices on externalizing symptoms

Abstract

Background Children experiencing unfavorable family circumstances have an increased risk of developing externalizing symptoms. The present study examines the direct, indirect and total effects of family adversity, parental psychopathology, and positive and negative parenting practices on symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) in children with ADHD. Methods Data from 555 children (M = 8.9 years old, 80.5% boys) who participated in a multicenter study on the treatment of ADHD (ESCAschool) were analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM). Results The SEM analyses revealed that (a) family adversity and parental psychopathology are associated with both child ADHD and ODD symptoms while negative parenting practices are only related to child ODD symptoms; (b) family adversity is only indirectly associated with child ADHD and ODD symptoms, via parental psychopathology and negative parenting practices; (c) the detrimental effect of negative parenting practices on child ADHD and ODD symptoms is stronger in girls than in boys (multi-sample SEM); (d) there are no significant associations between positive parenting practices and child ADHD or ODD symptoms. Conclusions Family adversity, parental psychopathology, and negative parenting practices should be routinely assessed by clinicians and considered in treatment planning. Trial registration (18th December 2015): German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS) DRKS00008973.

Dikkat eksikliği hiperaktivite bozukluğu olgularında kötü muamelenin belirti düzeyine etkisi

“…In conclusion, the presence of maltreatment in children with ADHD is associated with some psychosocial factors such as domestic violence, peer discord, problematic family communication, and dysfunctional family functioning. Family adversity, parental psychopathology, and negative parental attitudes are associated with ADHD and ODD, for which routine questioning is recommended 40 . In these cases, interventions that will improve family functions should also be considered in the multimodal treatment plan.…”

The pooled prevalence of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder among children and adolescents in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Moreover, other factors such as parent psychopathology also attributed to offspring ADHD. Previous studies reported that the likelihood of ADHD was higher among children whose parents were diagnosed with psychiatric disorders [ 9 , 10 ], which further reduces the neurocognitive performance of children with ADHD [ 11 ]. This implies that children whose parents with psychopathological symptoms should be screened for ADHD and incorporated into treatment programs.…”