title: Courtesy stigma in mothers of children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: a preliminary investigation.
abstract: Mothers of children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder face an increased risk for depression, anxiety, and social isolation. In addition to stress due to children's behavior, mothers of children with ADHD may also feel stigmatized by their children's diagnosis. Fifty-one mothers participated in a study to assess attitudes toward ADHD. Although mothers of children with ADHD expected that parents of children without ADHD would hold harsh views of the disorder, this was not generally the case. This difference between perception and the actual self-reported views of mothers of children without ADHD supports the idea that mothers feel stigmatized but suggests that increased awareness might help mothers of children with ADHD feel less isolated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology; State University of New York College at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14222, USA. norviljm@bscmail.buffalostate.edu
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Norvilitis
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Scime
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002648:Child; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009034:Mother-Child Relations; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D012649:Self Concept; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012944:Social Support; D013240:Stereotyping; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires