Attachment and parenting styles in adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Children and adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) experience problems with adults, especially with their parents, due to self-regulation deficiencies involving impulse control, self-restraint and inhibition problems. It is also reported that problems in parental attitudes play an important role in increasing the severity of ADHD findings. Because of these two conditions, we thought that there may be a relationship between attachment patterns and parenting styles of adolescents with ADHD.METHODS: 59 adolescents with ADHD and 66 adolescents without any psychopathology were included in the study. Socio-demographic data form and Adolescent Relationship Scales Questionnaire were applied to participants and Parental Attitude Research Instrument was applied to their parents.RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in attachment styles between ADHD and control group. Parents of the ADHD group had significantly higher scores in the subscales of rejection of the homemaking role, marital conflict, and strict discipline than parents of the control group. Higher levels of dismissing attachment style were associated with higher strict discipline attitudes in the ADHD group.DISCUSSION and CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that evaluation of attachment characteristics and parental attitudes in ADHD that is a neurodevelopmental disorder, may be necessary as an integrated approach.