Ψυχάγειν Καβάλα Ψυχοθεραπεία

The relationship between parental sense of self efficacy and their efforts to control the disruptive behaniour of children with Attention Deficit/ Haperactivity Disorder (AD/ HD). Poster presentation at the V World Congress of Behavioural & Cognitive Therapies, Barcelon Spain.

Introduction: Research over the last years has consistently been highlighting the relationship between parental self-efficacy beliefs and certain parental emotions and behaviours (Coleman, 1999). It is suggested that  low parental sense of self-efficacy towards a child with AD/HD  may have an important impact on the reactions towards the child and the outcome of the disorder as well. 

Method: The present study aims to examine the relationship between parental sense of self-efficacy and perceptions of their efforts to deal with AD/HD behaviours. Parental ratings were obtained from a clinical sample of 151 children aged 6-17 (mean age=10.6)  diagnosed with AD/HD. Two scales were used: a) the “AD/HD Parenting Efficacy in Behaviour Management Scale”, adapted from the “Teachers’ Sense of Efficacy Scale” (Tschannen-Moran & Woolfolk, 2001) and b) a scale constructed by the authors investigating parental efforts to control child disruptive behaviour.

Results: Analysis revealed a positive association between parental sense of self-efficacy and success of the efforts taken so far to deal with AD/HD behaviours. Perceived self-efficacy towards a child diagnosed with AD/HD was found to be moderate. Also, parents who felt less competent to deal with AD/HD behaviours were more likely to believe that alternative techniques should be used in order to control these behaviours and that help from a specialist was needed. 

Discussion: These findings indicate that parents of children diagnosed with AD/HD should be actively involved in a cognitive – behavioural therapeutic programme as co-therapists, in order to have opportunities for change and success in their interaction with their child. They could then, feel more competent about their capacities to deal with AD/HD behaviours and therefore, to produce better outcomes in their children’s lives.