TITLE:
Challenges, Coping Strategies, and Needs of Mothers with Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Implications for Intervention
AUTHORS:
Maribi Maria Benita Balagan, Maria Caridad Tarroja
KEYWORDS:
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Caregiver Challenges, Caregiver Coping Strategies, Caregiver Needs, Interventions for Caregivers
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Social Sciences,
Vol.8 No.12,
December
9,
2020
ABSTRACT: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a lifelong disorder;
hence, poor management may lead to adverse functional outcomes that may persist
into adulthood. Pediatric ADHD is a major stressor for parents and may result in a problematic parent-child interaction.
Therefore, the aim of this study, which employed the consensual
qualitative research method, was to explore the
challenges, coping strategies, and needs of mothers with children diagnosed
with ADHD. The participants were 10 mothers with children with ADHD aged
6 - 11 years, selected through
purposive sampling. Data from in-depth interviews were analyzed and the domains
and categories were identified. The results
indicated that major challenges for mothers included the child’s academic problems,
physical aggressiveness, stubbornness, as well as the family’s financial
difficulties. Participants used both adaptive and maladaptive strategies to
cope with their hampered physical, emotional, and social well-being. Based on
the findings, mothers’ most pressing needs are education related to ADHD and improving their parenting skills; hence,
a psychoeducational program on parenting, awareness about ADHD, and
self-management is proposed.