Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to establish whether there was any relationship between diagnosis of ADHD and various problematic life events in parents of children monitored with a diagnosis of ADHD.
Method: Two hundred forty nine parents of 167 children followed-up with a diagnosis of ADHD and 146 healthy controls with no diagnosis of ADHD in their children or themselves were included. DSM-IV diagnostic criteria were used in diagnostic evaluation. Diagnostic criteria recommended for DSM-V and ADHD symptom assessment scales (Wender Utah Rating Scale-25, Adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Self-Report Scale) were also used. Problematic life events were recorded on a data form prepared by the authors.
Results: Parents meeting a diagnosis of ADHD experienced nearly all problematic life events at a higher level compared to parents not meeting that diagnosis and to the healthy controls.
Conclusion: Parents of children diagnosed with ADHD are exposed to a high, lifelong level of ADHD-associated life events. These parents should be evaluated in terms of diagnosis of ADHD.

Key words: ADHD, parents of children with ADHD, ADHD in adults, problematic life events