Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Psychosocial treatments for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

  • Published:
Current Psychiatry Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a chronic disorder requiring developmentally sensitive interventions across the lifespan. Although pharmacotherapy traditionally has been considered the first-line treatment for ADHD, many individuals continue to experience significant functional impairment or choose not to pursue pharmacotherapy. Thus, evidence-based alternatives or adjuncts to pharmacologic treatment for individuals with ADHD are needed. Behavioral parent training and behavioral school interventions are the only empirically supported nonpharmacologic interventions for children and adolescents with ADHD. This article reviews recent additions to the ADHD literature, including evaluations of behavioral interventions in traditional clinical practice and schools, treatment efficacy for preschool-aged children and adults, and the investigation of a novel treatment for individuals with the predominantly inattentive subtype of ADHD.

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.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References and Recommended Reading

  1. American Psychiatric Association: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, edn 4 (text revision edition). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association; 2000.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Faraone SV, Biederman J, Mick E: The age-dependent decline of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: a meta-analysis of follow-up studies. Psychol Med 2006, 36: 159–165.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Spencer TJ, Biederman J, Wilens TE, Faraone SV: Novel treatments for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children. J Clin Psychiatry 2002, 63: 16–22.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Biederman J, Spencer TJ: Psychopharmacological interventions. Child Adolesc Psychiatr Clin N Am 2008, 17: 439–458.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Hoza B, Gerdes AC, Mrug S, et al.: Peer-assessed outcomes in the multimodal treatment study of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. J Clin Child Adolesc Psychol 2005, 34: 74–86.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Solanto MV, Marks DJ, Mitchell KJ, et al.: Development of a new psychosocial treatment for adult ADHD. J Atten Disord 2008, 11: 728–736.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Busch B, Biederman J, Cohen LG, et al.: Correlates of ADHD among children in pediatric and psychiatric clinics. Psychiatr Serv 2002, 53: 1103–1111.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Kessler RC, Adler L, Barkley R, et al.: The prevalence and correlates of adult ADHD in the United States: results from the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. Am J Psychiatry 2006, 163: 716–723.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Stubbe DE: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder overview: historical perspective, current controversies, and future directions. Child Adolesc Psychiatr Clin N Am 2000, 9: 469–479.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. dosReis S, Zito JM, Safer DJ, et al.: Parental perceptions and satisfaction with stimulant medication for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. J Dev Behav Pediatr 2002, 24: 155–162.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Krain AL, Kendall PC, Power TJ: The role of treatment acceptability in the initiation of treatment for ADHD. J Atten Disord 2005, 9: 425–434.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. A 14-month randomized clinical trial of treatment strategies for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. The MTA Cooperative Group. Multimodal Treatment Study of Children with ADHD. Arch Gen Psychiatry 1999, 56: 1073–1086.

  13. Pelham WE: The NIMH multimodal treatment study for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: just say yes to drugs alone? Can J Psychiatry 1999, 44: 981–990.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

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

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Brestan EV, Eyberg SM: Effective psychosocial treatments of conduct-disordered children and adolescents: 29 years, 82 studies, and 5,272 kids. J Clin Child Psychol 1998, 27: 180–189.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Raggi VL, Chronis AM: Interventions to address the academic impairment of children and adolescents with ADHD. Clin Child Fam Psychol Rev 2006, 9: 85–111.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Ramsay JR, Rostain AL: Psychosocial treatments for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in adults: current evidence and future directions. Prof Psychol Res Pr 2007, 38: 338–346.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Daly BP, Creed T, Xanthopoulos M, et al.: Psychosocial treatments for children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Neuropsychol Rev 2007, 17: 73–89.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Pfiffner LJ, McBurnett K: Social skills training with parent generalization: treatment effects for children with attention deficit disorder. J Consult Clin Psychol 1997, 65: 749–757.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Pelham WE, Fabiano GA, Gnagy EM, et al.: The role of summer treatment program in the context of comprehensive treatment for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. In Psychological Treatments for Child and Adolescent Disorders: Empirically Based Strategies for Clinical Practice. Edited by Hibbs ED, Jensen PS. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association; 2005: 377–410.

    Google Scholar 

  21. Arnold LE, Elliott M, Sachs L, et al.: Effects of ethnicity on treatment attendance, stimulant response/dose, and 14-month outcome in ADHD. J Consult Clin Psychol 2003, 71: 713–727.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Junod RE, DuPaul GJ, Jitendra AK, et al.: Classroom observations of students with and without ADHD: differences across types of engagement. J Sch Psychol 2006, 44: 87–104.

    Google Scholar 

  23. DuPaul GJ, Eckert TL: The effects of school-based interventions for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: a meta-analysis. School Psych Rev 1997, 26: 5–27.

    Google Scholar 

  24. MTA Cooperative Group: The National Institute of Mental Health Multimodal Treatment Study of ADHD follow-up: 24-month outcomes of treatment strategies for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Pediatrics 2004, 113: 754–761.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Jensen PS, Arnold LE, Swanson JM, et al.: 3-year follow-up of the NIMH MTA study. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2007, 46: 989–1002.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. 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 1999, 56: 1088–1096.

  27. Van den Hoofdakker BJ, van der Veen-Mulders L, Sytema S, et al.: Effectiveness of behavioral parent training for children with ADHD in routine clinical practice: a randomized controlled study. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2007, 46: 1263–1271.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Jurbergs N, Palcic J, Kelley ML: School-home notes with and without response cost: increasing attention and academic performance in low-income children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Sch Psychol Q 2007, 22: 358–379.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Evans SW, Serpell ZM, Schultz BK, et al.: Cumulative benefits of secondary school-based treatment of students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. School Psych Rev 2007, 36: 256–273.

    Google Scholar 

  30. Milich R, Balentine AC, Lynam DR: ADHD combined type and ADHD predominantly inattentive type are distinct and unrelated disorders. Clin Psychol Sci Prac 2001, 8: 463–488.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Pfiffner LJ, Mikami AY, Huang-Pollock C, et al.: A randomized, controlled trial of integrated home-school behavioral treatment for ADHD, predominantly inattentive type. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2007, 46: 1041–1050.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Maedgen JW, Carlson CL: Social functioning and emotional regulation in the attention deficit hyperactivity disorder subtypes. J Clin Child Psychol 2000, 29: 30–42.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Carlson C, Boothe J, Shin M, et al.: Parent-, teacher-, and self-rated motivational styles in ADHD subtypes. J Learn Disabil 2002, 35: 104–113.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Lahey BB, Pelham WE, Schaughency EA, et al.: Dimensions and types of attention deficit disorder. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 1988, 27: 330–335.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Lahey BB, Pelham WE, Loney J, et al.: Instability of the DSM-IV subtypes of ADHD from preschool through elementary school. Arch Gen Psychiatry 2005, 62: 896–902.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Lahey BB, Pelham WE, Stein MA, et al.: Validity of DSMIV attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder for younger children. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 1998, 37: 695–702.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Lahey BB, Hartung CM, Loney J, et al.: Are there sex differences in the predictive validity of DSM-IV ADHD among younger children? J Clin Child Adolesc Psychol 2007, 36: 113–126.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Chronis AM, Lahey BB, Pelham WE, et al.: Maternal depression and early positive parenting predict future conduct problems in young children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Dev Psychol 2007, 1: 70–82.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Greenhill LL, Posner K, Vaughan BS: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in preschool children. Child Adolesc Psychiatr Clin N Am 2008, 17: 347–366.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Kratochvil CJ, Greenhill LL, March JS, et al.: The role of stimulants in the treatment of preschool children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. CNS Drugs 2004, 18: 957–966.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. Webster-Stratton C: The Incredible Years: Parents, Teachers, and Children Training Series. In Innovative Mental Health Interventions for Children: Programs That Work. Edited by Pfeiffer SI, Reddy LA. Binghamton, NY: Haworth Press; 2001: 31–45.

    Google Scholar 

  42. Jones K, Daley D, Hutchings J, et al.: Efficacy of the Incredible Years basic parent training programme as an early intervention for children with conduct problems and ADHD. Child Care Health Dev 2007, 33: 749–756

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. Jones K, Daley D, Hutchings J, et al.: Efficacy of the Incredible Years programme as an early intervention for children with conduct problems and ADHD: long-term follow-up. Child Care Health Dev 2008, 34: 380–390.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. Wilens TE, Biederman J, Spencer TJ: Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder across the lifespan. Annu Rev Med 2002, 53: 113–131.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. Safren SA, Otto MW, Sprich S, et al.: Cognitive-behavioral therapy for ADHD in medication-treated adults with continued symptoms. Behav Res Ther 2005, 43: 831–842.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. Hinshaw SP: Moderators and mediators of treatment outcome for youth with ADHD: understanding for whom and how interventions work. J Pediatr Psychol 2007, 32: 664–675.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  47. Rapport MD, Scanlan SW, Denney CB: Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and scholastic achievement: a model of dual developmental pathways. J Child Psychol Psychiatry 1999, 40: 1169–1183.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. Owens EB, Hinshaw SP, Kraemer HC, et al.: What treatment for whom for ADHD? Moderators of treatment in the MTA. J Consult Clin Psychol 2003, 71: 540–552.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  49. Chronis AM, Clarke TL: Behavioral skills training for depressed mothers of children with ADHD. In Toward a Science of Clinical Psychology. Edited by L’Abate L. Hauppauge, NY: Nova Science Publishers; 2008: 55–77.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, 1123K Biology-Psychology Building, College Park, MD, 20742, USA

    Andrea Chronis-Tuscano

Authors
  1. Laura A. Knight
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Mary Rooney
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Andrea Chronis-Tuscano
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Andrea Chronis-Tuscano.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Knight, L.A., Rooney, M. & Chronis-Tuscano, A. Psychosocial treatments for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Curr Psychiatry Rep 10, 412–418 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-008-0066-6

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-008-0066-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation