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Delivering Evidence-Based Treatments for Child Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in the Context of Parental ADHD

  • Attention-Deficit Disorder (A Rostain, Section Editor)
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Abstract

Behavioral parent training (BPT) and stimulant medications are efficacious treatments for child attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD); however, there is some evidence to suggest that parental ADHD may reduce the efficacy of both treatment modalities. This review paper summarizes the literature related to the evidence-based behavioral and pharmacological treatment of child ADHD in the context of parental ADHD. We also review the literature on the effects of treating parents’ ADHD symptoms on parenting and child behavior outcomes. Although the literature is small and inconsistent, studies suggest that medicating parents’ ADHD symptoms may or may not be sufficient in demonstrating desired improvements in parenting and child behavioral outcomes. Therefore, interventions targeting both parent and child ADHD, when both are present, are likely needed to improve parent-child interactions and family functioning. Ongoing studies using a multimodal approach are discussed.

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Conflict of Interest

Christine H. Wang, Heather Mazursky-Horowitz, and Andrea Chronis-Tuscano declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Human and Animal Rights and Informed Consent

This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, College Park, MD, 20742, USA

    Christine H. Wang, Heather Mazursky-Horowitz & Andrea Chronis-Tuscano

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  1. Christine H. Wang
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  2. Heather Mazursky-Horowitz
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  3. Andrea Chronis-Tuscano
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Correspondence to Andrea Chronis-Tuscano.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Attention-Deficit Disorder

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Wang, C.H., Mazursky-Horowitz, H. & Chronis-Tuscano, A. Delivering Evidence-Based Treatments for Child Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in the Context of Parental ADHD. Curr Psychiatry Rep 16, 474 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-014-0474-8

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