title: Parents' perceptions of care-giving to a child with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: an exploratory study.
abstract: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common neurobehavioral childhood disorder in which parental care-giving is found very stressful. Limited qualitative research is found on their care-giving experiences. This study aimed to explore Chinese parents' experiences of care-giving to a child with ADHD at home. It was conducted at one Child and Adolescent Mental Health Unit in Hong Kong using qualitative exploratory approach. A purposive sample of 12 parents was recruited. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, each lasting about one hour. Content analysis was used to analyze the data. From the interview data, four themes were identified, including: concept of the illness, barriers to child care in ADHD, psychological effects in care-giving, and positive aspects of care-giving. The parents indicated a variety of life problems and health concerns in care-giving. The findings may help nurses understand the perceptions and barriers towards parental care of a child with ADHD in a Chinese population and consider parents' educational needs in care-giving.
authors.affiliation: Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital, Tai Po, NT, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Sze-Wan Carol
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Ho
authors.forename: Wai Tong
authors.initials: WT
authors.lastname: Chien
authors.forename: Li-Qun
authors.initials: LQ
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D002654:Child Care; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*