Date on Senior Honors Thesis
5-2017
Document Type
Senior Honors Thesis
Degree Name
B.A.
Department
Psychological and Brain Sciences
Degree Program
College of Arts and Sciences
Author's Keywords
Parenting Stress; Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder; Emotion Regulation; Childhood Disorders; Parent Distress; Difficult Child
Abstract
This study examined the relationship between ADHD diagnostic status and child-reported emotion regulation and its relationship with parenting stress within three subscales – Parent Distress, Difficult Child, and Parent-Child Dysfunctional interaction. Two hundred children ages 7-13 were enrolled in the study, including 120 children with ADHD and 80 children without ADHD. Overall, it was found that ADHD diagnostic status was significantly associated with the Parent Distress subscale, both ADHD diagnostic status and emotion regulation difficulties were significantly associated with the Difficult Child subscale, and emotion regulation difficulties were significantly associated with the Parent-Child Dysfunctional interaction subscale. This study not only shows that there should be an emphasis on treating parenting stress, but the differences between subscales shows that the type of parenting stress discussed matters when implementing treatment as well.
Recommended Citation
Johnson, Cibrian A., "The relationship between ADHD and emotion regulation and its effect on parenting stress." (2017). College of Arts & Sciences Senior Honors Theses. Paper 144.
http://doi.org/10.18297/honors/144
Lay Summary
The aims of The Relationship Between ADHD and Emotion Regulation and its Effect on Parenting Stress were to assess the relationship between ADHD diagnostic status and emotion regulation on parenting stress, then to assess the relationship when those factors are combined to see its effect on parenting stress. Parenting stress was measured using the Parenting Stress Index-Short Form, which categorized parenting stress into three subscales: Parent Distress, Difficult Child, Parent-Child Dysfunction Interaction. Children within the study were ages 7-13, living in a Midwestern metropolitan area. Knowing the relationship between ADHD, emotion regulation difficulties and its impact on parenting stress will be important for future implications, regarding support for parents that will ultimately enhance the treatment for children living with ADHD and emotion regulation difficulties.
