Parent characteristics and parent-child interactions in families of nonproblem children and ADHD children with higher and lower levels of oppositional-defiant behavior

This study examined parent-child interactions and parent characteristics in families of nonproblem children and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) children with lower (ADHD-LOD) and higher (ADHD-HOD) levels of oppositional-defiant behavior. Families of ADHD children were recruited from a parent training program. Observed and parent-reported child behavior problems were highest in the ADHD-HOD group. Observed parent behavior revealed few differences, but daily reports indicated that parents in both ADHD groups used more negative-reactive and fewer positive parenting strategies than control parents. Maternal psychological functioning differed between the ADHD and nonproblem groups, but not between the two ADHD groups. Fathers of ADHD-HOD children reported more psychological disturbance than controls. Parenting self-esteem was lowest in the ADHD-HOD group and highest in the nonproblem group. The results support the LOD and HOD distinction, but also suggest that, although certain difficulties are more common in the families of ADHD-HOD children, families of ADHD-LOD children also differ from controls on a number of dimensions.This research was supported by grants from the Medical Research Council of Canada and the British Columbia Health Research Foundation. Appreciation is extended to Josie Geller, Kim Behrenz, Susan Greaves, and Sonia Pietzsch who assisted with data collection and coding, and to the families who generously gave their time to participate in the research. Thanks also to two anonymous reviewers for their comments.