The impact of late-afternoon stimulant dosing for children with ADHD on parent and parent-child domains.
Examined the impact of late-afternoon stimulant dosing on parent and parent-child domains. Twenty-one children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) participated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled medication assessment comparing varying doses of methylphenidate (MPH) and Adderall in the context of an intensive treatment program. Children received varying doses of stimulant medication, including active medication or placebo at 3:30 p.m. daily. Parent ratings of their mood, pleasantness of parent-child interactions, and perceived parenting effectiveness and successfulness were obtained each evening. Effective medication doses had a beneficial impact on parent-child domains (e.g., parent-child interactions) but did not significantly affect non-child-related parent variables (e.g., negative affect [NA]). Findings suggested that doses with beneficial effects lasting into the evening improved parent reports of the pleasantness of parent-child interactions but were insufficient to produce positive changes in parent functioning.
Chronis
Andrea M
AM
University at Buffalo, State University of New York, USA. achronis@psyc.umd.edu
Pelham
William E
WE
Gnagy
Elizabeth M
EM
Roberts
John E
JE
Aronoff
Helen R
HR
D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002648:Child; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008774:Methylphenidate / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010287:Parent-Child Relations
D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D008774:Methylphenidate