Relationship between behavioral problems in different subtypes of untreated children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and their parental stress

Abstract

Objective To investigate the behavior characteristics in different subtypes of untreated children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and their relationship with parental stress. Methods Eighty-eight children with ADHD and their parents were tested by Conners parents symptom questionnaire (PSQ) and Parenting Stress Index questionnaire (PSI), and the results were compared among different ADHD subtypes, and 31 cases of healthy children were selected as healthy control group. Results Compared with the healthy controls, the ADHD children showed more behavior problems in conduct disorder subscale (F=15.727, P=0.000), learning problem subscale (F=32.899, P=0.000), inattention/hyperactive disorder subscale (F=33.761, P=0.000)and hyperactive index subscale(F=28.394, P=0.000); among the 3 ADHD subtypes, combined subtype had the highest scores, and there were significant differences in conduct disorder subscale (t=2.226, P=0.029), inattention/hyperactive subscale (t=4.909, P=0.000) and hyperactive index subscale(t=2.871, P=0.005); compared with the healthy controls, the scores of PSI total stress(F=3.753, P=0.013), Parent Domain(F=2.879, P=0.039) and Child Domain(F=3.848, P=0.011)were significantly higher in the ADHD group, among those, combined subtype had the highest scores, and there was significant difference in the mood factor(t=2.231, P=0.028). The PSI total stress scores were positively correlated with the scores of learning problem subscale (r=0.224, P=0.011)and the scores of hyperactive index subscale(r=0.177, P=0.045). At last the learning problem factor entered the regression equation (t=2.588, P=0.011). Conclusions ADHD children have more behavior problems and parental stress, and parental stress is positively correlated with the severity of symptoms, especially in the combined subtype, which is particularly worthy of attention. Key words: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; Different subtypes; Behavior symptom; Parental stress