Être parent d’un enfant avec un TDAH : conceptions parentales du trouble et de ses conséquences sur la famille

Introduction

The ADHD disorder has important consequences on the child's adjustment, but also on family life. Parents are usually involved during the diagnosis process and should be actively involved in the treatment that will follow. However, their representations of the disorder and their experience as parents in the face of the disorder are still poorly documented, especially in the French-speaking context.

Objective

The goal of this study is to explore the parents’ views about the etiology of ADHD and the medication, as well as their experiences of the consequences of the disorder on the family, school problems and social relations.

Method

An ad hoc questionnaire assessing the consequences of ADHD in a child was completed online by 128 parents of children between the ages of 5 and 18.

Results

Parents mostly agree with the neurodevelopmental origin of the disorder, conception that is related to the use of psycho-stimulants by the child. The majority were satisfied with the effects of the medication, but a significant proportion felt that the efficacy was poor and almost half felt that the side effects were too strong. The experiences of many parents reveal their exhaustion, their worries about their child's health and their own health, as well as the repercussions on their relationship and professional life.

Conclusion

This study confirms that the difficulties of families with a child and an adolescent with ADHD should be taken into account in the clinical investigation and in treatment strategies. The results confirm the important place that parental support should take in intervention strategies, including work on co-parenting and involving siblings.