title: Factors affecting perceptions of family function in caregivers of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorders.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common neurobehavioral disorder of childhood. ADHD has been shown to persist into adulthood in 30%-70% of cases. The long-term and escalating nature of ADHD creates an increasing burden on families because of the influence of hyperactivity and impulsivity on academic achievement and social interaction. There is a lack of information on factors influencing function in the families of children with ADHD.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to test theoretically derived relationships among family demographic characteristics; family factors such as support, hardiness, and caregiver health; and family-functioning outcomes.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study used a cross-sectional study and structural equation modeling approach. A self-report questionnaire collected information from 122 caregivers on demographics, income, employment, and marital status data as well as on personal health, family support, family hardiness, and family function statuses as determined, respectively, using the Duke Health Profile, Family APGAR score, Family Hardiness Index, and Family Assessment Device.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Structural equation modeling provided a reasonable fit to the data using AMOS (χ = .249, df = 1, p = .613, minimum discrepancy C = .249), goodness-of-fit index (.999), adjusted goodness of fit index (.990), normed fit index (.999), comparative fit index (1.0), and root mean square error of approximation (.000). Results indicated a 55.6% probability of becoming the construct model, with family hardiness and family support directly affecting family function and caregiver health. Family support functioned as a mediator in the relationship between family hardiness and family function.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings of this study help nurses improve professional assessments and interventions for families of children with ADHD by highlighting the importance of increased family support, promoting family hardiness, and promoting caregivers' health to improved family function.
authors.affiliation: 1PhD, RN, Associate Professor, School of Nursing, Kaohsiung Medical University, Taiwan, ROC 2PhD, RN, Professor, Hahn School of Nursing and Health Science, University of San Diego, USA 3PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Healthcare Administration and Medical Informatics, Kaohsiung Medical University, Taiwan, ROC 4PhD, RN, Instructor, School of Nursing, Kaohsiung Medical University, Taiwan, ROC 5MSN, RN, Supervisor, Department of Nursing, Kaohsiung Medical University Chung-Ho Memorial Hospital, Taiwan, ROC.
authors.forename: Jih-Yuan
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Mary-Jo
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Clark
authors.forename: Yong-Yuan
authors.initials: YY
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Yea-Ying
authors.initials: YY
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Chiung-Ying
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Chang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000451:nursing*; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005190:Family; D006801:Humans