ABSTRACT
This study explored the relation between perceived maternal acceptance and control, and acting-out aggressive behavior in children diagnosed with ADHD. 81 dyads of mothers and children participated. Children ranged in age from 8 through 13 years (M= 10.8 yr., SD= 1.7). 63 children were boys, 18 were girls. Mothers ranged in age from 28 through 55 years (M=41.1 yr., SD=5.58). 78% were posthigh school or college graduates. Both mothers and children responded to self-report questionnaires assessing children's behavior as well as mothers' behavior toward their children. Analysis showed that mothers were consistently accepting, and they tended to be firm in behavioral control. Children were reported by mothers as displaying only moderate acting-out aggressive behavior. Multiple regression analyses showed that both maternal acceptance and maternal control made significant and independent contributions to variations in children's acting-out behavior. Approximately 22% of the variance in scores on acting-out aggression was explained by a linear combination of maternal acceptance and behavioral control. None of these relations varied significantly by age or sex of the child.
