Predictors of stress in caregivers of attention deficit hyperactivity disordered children

Abstract

This study examined predictors of reported stress for caregivers of 30 attention deficit hyperactivity disordered (ADHD) children. Findings were that family income and other financial stressors accounted for the largest percentage of the variance (up to 42%), and that frequency of the ADHD children's symptomatic behavior accounted for up to 18% of the variance in overall stress reported by caregivers. The results of this study support existing models of parental stress and suggest that parents from lower socioeconomic backgrounds are apt to be at greatest risk for increased stress, thereby increasing the symptom display in their ADHD youngsters. In working with families of these youth, recommendations are made for evaluating existing familial stressors and family functioning of ADHD youth as well as the identification of appropriate sources of support to ease some of their caregivers' stressors.