Parental perception of family functioning in everyday life with a child with ADHD
Sammanfattning
Aim: The aim of this study was to describe and investigate family characteristics in relation to
support, behaviour of the child, family functioning and sense of coherence from the parents’
perspective in families with a child with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). A further aim
was to explore predictors of family functioning. Methods: The study population consisted of 1964
parents of children with ADHD aged 15 years old and younger. In all, 265 parents responded to a
questionnaire (response rate 48.2%; 217 mothers and 48 fathers). In addition to questions about the
parents, children, family characteristics and support from health services, the questionnaire included
the Family Assessment Device (FAD), the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), Sense of
Coherence (SOC) and Social Cohesion and Support Index (SCS). Data were analysed with descriptive,
comparative and standard multiple regression analyses. Results: Parents with ADHD reported a
weaker SOC and poorer FAD in the family than parents without ADHD. Parents with children
medicated for ADHD were significantly more satisfied with social support (SCS), rated their children’s
behaviour as less problematic and reported better family functioning. Parents’ age, SOC, SCS, SDQ
and support from the community health services explained 46.2% of the variation in FAD.
Conclusions: A strong SOC, social support and support from the community health services were
strongly associated with a positive effect on family functioning. Parents with ADHD reported a weaker
SOC and poorer family functioning than parents without ADHD. This knowledge may be useful and
should be taken into account when planning support for such families.