Efficacy of a psychosocial intervention for parents of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, Alexandria, Egypt

ABSTRACT

Childhood attention deficit hyperactivity disorder [ADHD] is a chronic disorder thatcarries an immense amount of suffering for its victims, their families, and communities.The efficacy of behavioral parent training in the treatment of ADHD has beensupported in several studies.To evaluate the efficacy of a predesigned culturally sensitive psychosocial interventionprogram for parents of ADHD children in Alexandria, Egypt.A pretest-post-test intervention study was carried out at the Child Mental Health Clinicfor School Students affiliated to the Health Insurance Organization, Alexandria. Theintervention aimed at improving parents' knowledge of ADHD, building their skills ineffective parenting, stress management and problem-solving, as well as providing socialsupport. All the participants [50 parents] were assigned to groups, each of five to eightparents. They received a total of eight sessions on a weekly basis. The program wasevaluated immediately after completion and 2 months later using the Arabic Versionof Conners' Rating Scale to identify ADHD and to assess its severity, Home SituationsQuestionnaire, Parenting Scale, the Arabic Version of Depression Anxiety Stress Scales [DASS], and parental ADHD-related knowledge questionnaire were used.There was a statistically significant decrease in the mean total scores recordedby parents on Conners' Rating Scale [P<0.001], Home Situations Questionnaire [P<0,05], Parenting Scale [P< 0.001], and DASS [P< 0.001] immediately afterprogram completion and 2 months later compared with Jjiat reported before programinitiation. The total scores of participants on the ADHD-related knowledgequestionnaire increased significantly after attending the program [P< 0.001].Provision of a psychosocial intervention program for parents of ADHD children proved tobe effective in reducing perceived severity of the symptoms and problem situations, aswell as improving parents' knowledge, discipline practices, and psychological well-being