Coping with Children with ADHD: Coping Styles of Mothers with Children with ADHD or Challenging Behaviours

Parents of children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) can experience significant levels of stress in their parenting roles, however, little is known about the specific coping strategies used by these parents. This pilot study Investigated the coping strategies used by mothers of children with ADHD. A 34 item questionnaire was developed to identify maternal coping strategies. A cohort of 38 mothers of children with ADHD and a control group of 30 mothers of children without ADHD or any other disability/illness completed the questionnaire. Factor analysis of responses produced three factors: Aggressive/Confrontive Coping, Rational Coping, and Indirect Coping. These factors are similar to coping dimensions proposed by Folkman and Lazarus. Comparisons between the two groups of mothers revealed that mothers of children with ADHD used significantly more Indirect Coping.