The meaning of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder medication and parents' initiation and continuity of treatment for their child.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to examine parents' early understanding of medication for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in relation to decisions to initiate and continue treatment for their child.


METHODS
Qualitative, semistructured telephone interviews were conducted with 48 parents of children newly diagnosed with ADHD. Parents were recruited from inner city, outpatient primary care, and mental health clinics affiliated with a large university hospital. Data were analyzed using grounded theory.


RESULTS
Parents' initial perspectives of the appropriateness, anticipated effects, and symbolic meaning of medication were classified by four typologies (illness oriented, problem oriented, generally acceptable, unacceptable). In this sample, 29% of parents believed medication was required to treat the illness and 20% believed medication was unacceptable. Except for the unacceptable group, nearly all of the parents in the other groups initiated medication shortly after diagnosis. More than 80% of the illness- and problem-oriented groups used medication at 6 months; this fell to 64% and 78%, respectively, at 12 months. Only half of the unacceptable group ever used medication for their child.


CONCLUSIONS
Parents' views of ADHD medication may be predictive of continuity of treatment. Increasing physician awareness of parent preferences for managing their child's ADHD problems may lead to care management plans that maximize continuity.
DosReis
Susan
S
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine , Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA. sdosrei1@jhmi.edu
Mychailyszyn
Matthew P
MP
Evans-Lacko
Sara E
SE
Beltran
Alicia
A
Riley
Anne W
AW
Myers
Mary Anne
MA
D000293:Adolescent; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care / Q000639:trends; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D055118:Medication Adherence / Q000523:psychology*; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*
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