Abstract
This cross-sectional questionnaire study examined factors related to affiliate stigma among caregivers of children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and the association of affiliate stigma with caregivers’ unfavorable attitude toward ADHD and moderators. The affiliate stigma of 400 caregivers of children with ADHD was assessed using the Affiliate Stigma Scale. Caregivers’ and children’s factors related to affiliate stigma were examined using multiple regression analysis. Associations of affiliate stigma with caregivers’ unfavorable attitudes toward children’s diagnoses, pharmacotherapy, behavioral therapy, and biological explanations of the etiologies of ADHD were examined using logistic regression analysis. Female caregivers and those caring for girls with ADHD had higher levels of affiliate stigma than did male caregivers and those caring for boys. Higher education levels in caregivers and more severe inattention symptoms in children were associated with higher levels of affiliate stigma. A higher level of affiliate stigma was also significantly associated with unfavorable attitudes toward children’s diagnoses, pharmacotherapy and behavioral therapy, and etiological explanations for ADHD. Multiple factors of caregivers and children were related to affiliate stigma in caregivers of children with ADHD. Affiliate stigma is significantly associated with caregivers’ unfavorable attitude toward ADHD.
Highlights
The present study examined the association of affiliate stigma with unfavorable attitude toward the diagnosis, treatment, and etiological explanation of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and moderators among family caregivers of children with ADHD in Taiwan
(7 items; for example, “My reputation is damaged because have a child with the present study, we focused on caregivers’ affiliate stigma toward their children’s ADHD
Multiple factors of caregivers and children were related to affiliate stigma in caregivers of children with ADHD
Summary
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder with a lifetime prevalence of 10.1% according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental. Fifth Edition (DSM-5) diagnostic criteria [1] in a nationally representative sample of children in Taiwan [2]. Neurocognitive etiologies contribute to ADHD symptom development [1], ADHD symptoms are often attributed to affected children’s unwillingness in self-control or intentional opposition and misunderstanding of ADHD increases both social rejection and hostile emotions in peers, teachers, family members, and neighbors [3]. ADHD-related stigma and its negative influence on affected children and families in Asian countries are underexplored. Studies have examined ADHD-related public stigma, self-stigma, and courtesy stigma and their negative effects. A high level of perceived public stigma toward ADHD can predict low willingness to receive intervention [5] and low medication adherence in children with ADHD [6]
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