Relationship between attention deficit hyperactive disorder symptoms and perceived parenting practices of school‐age children

Aims and objectives To examine the relationship between the perception on parenting practices and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms in school‐age children. Background Psychosocial attention deficit hyperactivity disorder intervention approaches emphasise environmental risk factors at the individual, family and community level. Parenting variables are strongly related to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder symptom severity. Design A cross‐sectional questionnaire survey. Methods The participants were 747 children and their parents in two elementary schools. The instruments used were Korean Conners Abbreviated Parent Questionnaire and Korean version Maternal Behavior Research Instrument (measuring four dimensions of parenting practices: affection, autonomy, rejection, control). Descriptive and logistic regression analyses were performed. Results The rejective parenting practice was statistically significant in logistic regression controlling gender and age of children, family structure, maternal education level and socio‐economic status. The rejection parenting is associated with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms in children (OR = 1·356). Conclusions These results suggest the importance of specific parenting educational programmes for parents to prevent and decrease attention deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms. It would be more effective rather than focusing only on the child's attention deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms, developing educational programmes for parents to prevent rejection parenting practice and improve parenting skills in the family system. Relevance to clinical practice When developing a treatment programme for children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, healthcare providers should consider not only the child's attention deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms, but also the parenting practices. Comprehensive interventions designed to prevent rejection and improve parenting skills may be helpful in mitigating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms.