Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

A Systematic Review of Parenting in Relation to the Development of Comorbidities and Functional Impairments in Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Child Psychiatry & Human Development Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This review synthesizes recent research evidence regarding the parenting characteristics associated with families with children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). ADHD is a complex, heterogeneous disorder with a range of genetic and environmental factors that contribute to its behavioral expression and different developmental trajectories. The current review adopts a developmental psychopathology perspective to conceptualize the risk and protective factors that might shape the developmental pathways of the disorder across different domains. Following from Johnston and Mash’s review (Johnston and Mash, Clin Child Fam Psychol Rev 4:183–207, 2001), the present review systematically examines empirical studies from 2000–2008 that investigate parenting variables in relation to the development of children with ADHD, with a particular focus on the development of externalizing and internalizing comorbidities, as well as functional impairments in academic and social contexts. The most recent research evidence uses correlational designs to show that ADHD is associated with problematic family functioning, including greater stress within the family, higher rates of parental psychopathology and conflicted parent–child relationships, which appears to be exacerbated in children with comorbid oppositional and conduct problems. However, there is an absence of literature that considers the role that parents play in contributing to children’s development in areas such as academic achievement and peer competence, as well as the development of internalizing difficulties. Future research should examine family factors that are associated with resilience in children with ADHD, using longitudinal designs that reflect the dynamic changes associated with a developmental psychopathology framework.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Association AmericanPsychiatric (2000) Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, 4th edn. American Psychiatric Association, Washington

    Google Scholar 

  2. Barkley RA (2005) ADHD and the nature of self-control. Guilford Press, New York

    Google Scholar 

  3. DuPaul GJ, McGoey KE, Eckert TL, VanBrakle J (2001) Preschool children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: impairments in behavioral, social, and school functioning. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 40:508–515

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Pelhem WE, Fabiano GA (2008) Evidence-based psychosocial treatments for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. J Clin Child Adolesc Psychol 37:184–214

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Gordon M, Antshel K, Faraone S, Barkley R, Lewandowski L, Hudziak JJ et al (2006) Symptoms versus impairment: the case for respecting DSM-IV’s criterion D. J Attn Disord 9:465–475

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Faraone S, Biederman J, Monuteaux MD (2002) Further evidence for the diagnostic continuity between child and adolescent ADHD. J Attn Disord 6:5–12

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Wells KC, Chi TC, Hinshaw SP, Epstein JN, Pfiffner L, Nebel-Schwalm M et al (2006) Treatment-related changes in objectively measured parenting behaviors in the multimodal treatment study of children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. J Consult Clin Psychol 74:649–657

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Barbesi WJ, Katusic SK, Colligan RC, Weaver AL et al (2007) Long-term school outcomes for children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a population-based perspective. J Dev Behav Pediatrics 28:265–273

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. McGee R, Prior M, Williams S, Smart D, Sanson A (2003) The long-term significance of teacher-rated hyperactivity and reading ability in childhood: findings from two longitudinal studies. J Child Psychol Psychiatry 43:1004–1017

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Hinshaw SP (2002) Preadolescent girls with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: I. background characteristics, comorbidity, cognitive and social functioning, and parenting practices. J Consult Clin Psychol 70:1086–1098

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Mrug S, Hoza B, Gerdes AC (2001) Children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: peer relationships and peer-oriented interventions. New Dir Child Adolesc Dev 91:51–77

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Mrug S, Hoza B, Gerdes AC, Hinshaw S, Arnold LE, Hechtman L et al (2009) Discriminating between children with ADHD and classmates using peer variables. J Attn Disord 12:372–380

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Johnston C, Mash EJ (2001) Families of children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: review and recommendations for future research. Clin Child Fam Psychol Rev 4:183–207

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Latimer WW, August GJ, Newcomb MD, Realmuto GM, Hektner JM, Mathy RM (2003) Child and familial pathways to academic achievement and behavioral adjustment: a prospective six-year study of children with and without ADHD. J Attn Disord 7:101–119

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Faraone SV, Perlis R, Doyle AE, Smoller JW, Goralnick JJ, Holmgren MA et al (2005) Molecular genetics of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Biol Psychiat 57:1313–1323

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Mick E, Faraone SV (2008) Genetics of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Child Adol Psych Cl 17:261–284

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Thapar A, Langley K, Owen MJ, O’Donovan MC (2007) Advances in genetic findings on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Psychol Med 37:1681–1692

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Hudziak JJ, Derks EM, ALthoff RR, Rettew DC, Boomsma DI (2005) The genetic and environmental contributions to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder as measured by the Conners’ Rating Scales–Revised. Am J Psychiat 162:1614–1620

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Thapar A, Langley K, Asherson P, Gill M (2007) Gene-environment interplay in attention deficit hypearctivity disorder and the importance of a developmental perspective. Br J Psychiatry 190:1–3

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Coghill D, Nigg J, Rothenberger A, Sonuga-Barke E, Tannock R (2005) Whither causal models in the neuroscience of ADHD? Dev Sci 8:105–114

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Joober R, Sengupta S, Boksa P (2005) Genetics of developmental psychiatric disorders: pathways to discovery. J Psychiat Neurosci 30:349–354

    Google Scholar 

  22. Nigg JT (2006) What causes ADHD? Understanding what goes wrong and why. Guilford Press, New York

    Google Scholar 

  23. Sonuga-Barke EJS, Auerbach J, Campbell SB, Daley D, Thompson M (2005) Varieties of preschool hyperactivity: multiple pathways from risk to disorder. Dev Sci 8:141–150

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Taylor E (1999) Developmental neuropsychopathology of attention deficit and impulsiveness. Dev Psychopathol 11:607–628

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Rutter M, Sroufe AL (2000) Developmental psychopathology: concepts and challenges. Dev Psychopathol 12:265–296

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Torgerson C (2003) Systematic reviews. Continuum International Publishing Group, London

    Google Scholar 

  27. Antshel KM, Barkley R (2008) Psychosocial interventions in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Child Adol Psych Cl 17:421–437

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Chronis AM, Jones HA, Raggi VL (2006) Evidence-based psychosocial treatments for children and adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Clin Psychol Rev 26:486–502

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Chronis AM, Chacko A, Fabiano GA, Wymbs BT et al (2004) Enhancements to the behavioral parent training paradigm for families of children with ADHD: review and future directions. Clin Child Fam Psychol Rev 7:1–27

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Daly BP, Creed T, Xanthopoulos M, Brown RT (2007) Psychosocial treatments for children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Neuropsychol Rev 17:73–89

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Chronis AM, Lahey BB, Pelhem WE, Kipp HL, Baumann BL, Lee SS (2003) Psychopathology and substance abuse in parents of young children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 42:1424–1432

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Pfiffner LJ, McBurnett K, Rathouz PJ, Judice S (2005) Family correlates of oppositional and conduct disorders in children with attention-deficit/hypearctivity disorder. J Abnorm Child Psychol 33:551–563

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Kashdan TB, Jacob RG, Pellhem WE, Lang AR, Hoza B, Blumenthal JD et al (2004) Depression and anxiety in parents of children with ADHD and varying levels of oppositional defiant behaviors: modeling relationships with family functioning. J Clin Child Adolesc Psychol 33:169–181

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Johnston C, Murray C, Hinshaw SP, Pelhem WE, Hoza B (2002) Responsiveness in interactions of mothers and sons with ADHD: relations to maternal and child characteristics. J Abnorm Child Psychol 30:77–88

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Seipp CM, Johnston C (2005) Mother-son interactions in families of boys with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder with and without oppositional behavior. J Abnorm Child Psychol 33:87–98

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Tripp G, Schaughency EA, Langlands R, Mouat K (2007) Family interactions in children with and without ADHD. J Child Family Stud 16:385–400

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Johnston C, Chen M, Ohan J (2006) Mothers’ attributions for behavior in non-problem boys, boys with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and boys with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and oppositional defiant behavior. J Clin Child Adolesc Psychol 35:60–71

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Podolski C, Nigg JT (2001) Parent stress and coping in relation to child ADHD severity and associated child disruptive behavior problems. J Clin Child Psychol 30:503–513

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Edwards G, Barkley RA, Laneri M, Fletcher K, Metevia L (2001) Parent-adolescent conflict in teenagers with ADHD and ODD. J Abnorm Child Psychol 29:557–572

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Wymbs BT, Pelhem WE, Molina BSG, Gnagy EM (2008) Mother and adolescent reports of interparental discord among parents of adolescents with and without attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. J Emot Behav Disord 16:29–41

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Peris TS, Hinshaw SP (2003) Family dynamics and preadolescent girls with ADHD: the relationship between expressed emotion, ADHD symptomatology, and comorbid disruptive behavior. J Child Psychol Psychiatry 44:1177–1190

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Chronis AM, Lahey BB, Pelhem WE, Williams SH, Baumann BL, Kipp H et al (2007) Maternal depression and early positive parenting predict future conduct problems in young children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Dev Psychol 43:70–82

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Burke JD, Pardini DA, Loeber R (2008) Reciprocal relationships between parenting behavior and disruptive psychopathology from childhood through adolescence. J Abnorm Child Psychol 36:679–692

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. Shaw DS, Owens EB, Giovannelli J, Winslow EB (2001) Infant and toddler pathways leading to early externalizing disorders. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 40:36–43

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. Scaramella LV, Leve LD (2004) Clarifying parent–child reciprocities during early childhood: the early childhood coercion model. Clin Child Fam Psychol Rev 7:89–106

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. Blackman GL, Ostrander R, Herman KC (2005) Children with ADHD and depression: a multisource, multimethod assessment of clinical, social and academic functioning. J Attn Disord 8:195–207

    Article  Google Scholar 

  47. Harris K, Boots M, Talbot J, Vance A (2006) Comparison of psychosocial correlates in primary school age children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder-combined type, with and without dysthymic disorder. Child Psychiat Human Dev 36:419–426

    Article  Google Scholar 

  48. Gerdes AC, Hoza B, Arnold LE, Hinshaw SP, Wells KC, Hechtman L et al (2007) Child and parent predictors of perceptions of parent–child relationship quality. J Attn Disord 11:37–48

    Article  Google Scholar 

  49. Ostrander R, Herman KC (2006) Potential cognitive, parenting, and developmental mediators of the relationship between ADHD and depression. J Consult Clin Psychol 74:89–98

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  50. Pfiffner LJ, McBurnett K (2006) Family correlates of comorbid anxiety disorders in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. J Abnorm Child Psychol 34:725–735

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  51. Kepley HO, Ostrander R (2007) Family characteristics of anxious ADHD children. J Attn Disord 10:317–323

    Article  Google Scholar 

  52. Pressman LJ, Loo SK, Carpenter EM, Asarnow JR, Lynn D, McCracken JT et al (2006) Relationship of family environment and parental psychiatry diagnosis to impairment in ADHD. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 45:346–354

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  53. Hurt EA, Hoza B, Pelhem WE (2007) Parenting, family loneliness, and peer functioning in boys with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. J Abnorm Child Psychol 35:543–555

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  54. Johnston C, Jassy JS (2007) Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and oppositional/conduct problems: links to parent–child interactions. J Can Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 16:74–79

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  55. Psychogiou L, Daley DM, Thompson MJ, Sonuga-Barke EJS (2007) Testing the interactive effect of parent and child ADHD on parenting in mothers and fathers: a further test of the similarity-fit hypothesis. Br J Dev Psychol 25:419–433

    Article  Google Scholar 

  56. Cooperative Group MTA (1999) A 14-month randomized clinical trial of treatment strategies for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Arch Gen Psychiatry 56:1073–1086

    Article  Google Scholar 

  57. Jensen PS, Hinshaw SP, Swanson JM, Greenhill LL, Conners CK, Arnold LE et al (2001) Findings from the NIMH multimodal treatment study of ADHD (MTA): implications and applications for primary care providers. J Dev Behav Pediatrics 22:60–73

    Google Scholar 

  58. MTA Cooperative Group (1999) Moderators and mediators of treatment response for children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: the multimodal treatment study of children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Arch Gen Psychiatry 56:1088–1096

    Article  Google Scholar 

  59. Owens EB, Hinshaw SP, Kraemer HC, Arnold LE, Abikoff HB, Cantwell DP et al (2003) Which treatment for whom for ADHD? Moderators of treatment response in the MTA. J Consult Clin Psychol 71:540–552

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  60. Chronis AM, Pelhem WE, Gnagy EM, Roberts JE, Aronoff HR (2003) The impact of late-afternoon stimulant dosing for children with ADHD on parent and parent–child domains. Clin Child Adolesc Psychiat 32:118–132

    Google Scholar 

  61. Danforth JS, Anderson LP, Barkley RA, Stokes TF (1991) Observations of parent–child interactions with hyperactive children: research and clinical implications. Clin Psychol Rev 11:703–727

    Article  Google Scholar 

  62. Baron RM, Kenny DA (1986) The moderator–mediator variable distinction in social psychological research: conceptual, strategic, and statistical considerations. J Pers Soc Psychol 51:1173–1182

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  63. Nigg JT, Nikolas M, Friderici K, Park L, Zucker RA (2007) Genotype and neuropsychological response inhibition as resilience promoters for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, and conduct disorder under conditions of psychosocial adversity. Dev Psychopathol 19:767–787

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  64. Rucklidge JJ, Tannock R (2001) Psychiatric, psychosocial, and cognitive functioning of female adolescents with ADHD. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 40:530–540

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  65. Sonuga-Barke EJS (2005) Causal models of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: from common simple deficits to multiple developmental pathways. Biol Psychiat 57:1231–1238

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada

    Louise C. Deault

Authors
  1. Louise C. Deault
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Louise C. Deault.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Deault, L.C. A Systematic Review of Parenting in Relation to the Development of Comorbidities and Functional Impairments in Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Child Psychiatry Hum Dev 41, 168–192 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10578-009-0159-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10578-009-0159-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation