Sub‐clinical levels of symptoms of attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder and self‐reported parental cognitions and behaviours in mothers of young infants

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between sub‐clinical levels of maternal symptoms of attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and parental cognitions and behaviours in a community sample of mothers of young infants. Given the numerous impairments experienced by adults with ADHD, it was hypothesised that mothers with more symptoms of ADHD would report cognitive and behavioural difficulties related to parenting. Ninety‐nine mothers of 6‐month‐old infants were recruited from immunisation clinics and completed questionnaires. Maternal symptoms of ADHD were positively correlated with other symptoms of psychological distress. In addition, mothers with higher levels of ADHD symptoms described themselves as having less parental impact and lower parenting satisfaction. They also reported more hostile‐reactive behaviours, but only for more difficult infants. ADHD symptoms were not related to social support and did not predict maternal self‐efficacy over and above co‐occurring symptoms of psychological distress. Findings suggest that even mothers who experience sub‐clinical levels of ADHD symptoms may be at risk for parenting cognitions and behaviours that could adversely affect their infant's development. Further studies of mothers who display clinical levels of ADHD symptoms are needed to replicate the current findings and to examine other dimensions of parenting in this potentially high‐risk population of mothers and their infants.

Keywords:

• mothers
• cognitive
• infancy
• perceptions
• attitudes

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the mothers who participated in this study. Special thanks to Helen Dutchak and Carol Wild, District Managers, and Maureen Best, Director of Child & Youth Community Health Services, Calgary Health Region. We would like to express our gratitude to Carly McMorris, Marion Stewart, and Heather Zabawski for their assistance with recruitment and data entry. We would also like to thank Karen Benzies and Susan Graham for their invaluable advice and feedback.