Link of parenting and transgenerational parenting with ADHD symptom severity in children: A German self-help group study

Abstract

ObjectiveThis survey study aimed to explore the impacts of parental and grandparental child-rearing attitudes on the differential symptom severity of children with ADHD. Based on literature, additional queries on the general nature of ADHD were also posed. MethodsIt was a survey study. Respondents were 43 mothers, attending a self-help group in Germany, Bayern area, for parents whose children received a clinical diagnosis of ADHD. Mothers gave information about their children and themselves. Children's age range was 6–16 (M=11.19). ResultsWith regards to the primary hypotheses, the influence of parenting on the course of the disorder was generally negligible. Nevertheless, the attention deficit levels of children significantly predicted their grandparents’ rejection towards their parents. Parents’ education level did not differentiate children concerning ADHD symptom severity. Analyses of data regarding secondary hypotheses confirmed that boys were more frequently diagnosed with ADHD, and demonstrated more hyperactivity symptoms, which reduced while they grew into adolescence. However, no significant changes in attention deficit symptoms were observed. ConclusionFactors cited in literature besides parenting (e.g. genetic factors, child-related factors, environmental factors, pre-natal developmental factors) may be more important in shaping ADHD. The hypothesis concerning the likely effect of transgenerational-parenting on ADHD was verified only for rejection. Re-test of hypotheses from literature concerning age and gender related symptom-level changes verified the literature.