Attention Deficit Hyper Activity Disorder (ADHD) and Stress: A Mutual Relationship between Children and Mothers.
BACKGROUND
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by high levels of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity which may result in mothers' stress. The current study aims to compare stress among 45 mothers of ADHD children who had referred to "Rofeydeh psychiatric center" with 45 mothers of normal children.


METHODS
Brief demographic researcher-made questionnaire, Child Symptom Inventory-4 (CSI-4), the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), and Parental Stress Index-Short Form (PSI/SF) were completed for each mother and child.


RESULTS
The results showed that except the component of acceptance, ADHD children had more problems in the field of attention compared with normal children. Mothers of ADHD children had also more stress compared with mothers of normal children.


CONCLUSIONS
ADHD can impair mothers' mental health by inducing stress and this issue has important clinical and treatment implications. Specific treatment programs should be designed and implemented in Iran for the mothers of ADHD children to reduce stress among them and therefore, improve their mental health status.
Department of Psychiatry, University of Social Welfare & Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Mercedeh
M
Samiei
Substance Abuse and Dependence Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Reza
R
Daneshmand
Department of Psychosomatic Medicine, Imam Khomeini General Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Rasul
R
Keramatfar
Department of Psychiatry, University of Social Welfare & Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Katayoon
K
Khooshabi
Department of Psychiatry, University of Social Welfare & Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Nasrin
N
Amiri
Department of Psychiatry, University of Social Welfare & Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Yadollah
Y
Farhadi
Rofeideh Psychiatric Hospital, University of Social Welfare & Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Seyedeh Zeinab
SZ
Farzadfard
Department of Psychiatry, Farhangiyan University, Pardis Amir Kabir Alborz, Varamin, Iran.
Hamid
H
Kachooi
Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
Roya
R
Samadi
ADHD; Attention; Hyperactivity; Impulsivity; Stress