Psychodramatic group psychotherapy as a parental intervention in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: A preliminary study

Abstract

It is already known that clinical attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is affected by some negative parenting variables. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of psychodramatic group psychotherapy (PGP) on parenting variables. The study group included seven mothers whose children had been diagnosed with ADHD and were attending a special education and rehabilitation center. Twelve PGP sessions, one per week, were conducted with these mothers. Participants’ statements were recorded at each session, and these statements were evaluated to indicate basic parental variables, namely: parental psychopathology, negative parental cognitions, negative parental attitudes, family functionality–marital conflict, and parental stress. The statistical study revealed that statements indicating parental psychopathology and negative parental attitudes showed a statistically significant negative correlation with time. Qualitative data indicate mothers stigmatization, self-stigmatization and harsh punishment toward the children. Parental psychopathology and negative parental attitudes are two parental factors that are known to have a negative impact on the clinical status of ADHD, and PGP might be effective in improving these two factors.