The change in the intensity of symptoms in children and adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder after "Workshops for Parents of Hyperactive Children". / Zmiana nasilenia objawów zespolu nadpobudliwosci psychoruchowej po zastosowaniu programu "Warsztatów dla rodziców dzieci nadpobudliwych".

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate changes in the intensity of ADHD symptoms and size effects after the completion of the twelve-week "Workshops for Parents of Hyperactive Children". METHODS: Intervention group included parents (N = 199) of children and adolescents diagnosed with ADHD, who completed the twelve-week parental training. The reference group included parents (N = 24) of children and adolescents diagnosed with ADHD, who received 1-2 standard psychiatric visits within twelve weeks (treatment-as-usual). The following questionnaires were completed by the participants at the beginning and at the end of the training: CBCLand Conners-IOWA-10 (parent's assessment of the child), TRF and Conners-RCTRS-28 (assessment of the child by the teacher/educator), and YSR (in children of 11 years and over). The same diagnostic regime was used in the reference group - the patients were assessed during the first visit and after twelve weeks. RESULTS: The majority of attendees were parents of boys diagnosed with: ADHD mixed type with or without ODD and ADHD predominantly inattentive type. The intervention resulted in significant reduction of inattentive-impulsive-hyperactive and oppositional-defiant symptoms in Conners-IOWA-10 and significant reduction of symptoms in the following CBCL scales: "Social problems", "Attention problems", "Aggressive behavior", "Externalizing behavior", as well as the overall score, as rated by mothers. The improvement was age, diagnosis and pharmacotherapy independent. CONCLUSIONS: The therapeutic program used in our study resulted in small to moderate reduction of symptoms in children and adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder irrespective of subtype, comorbid disorders or pharmacotherapy (if implemented).

General health, sense of coherence and coping styles in parents participating in Workshops for Parents of Hyperactive Children. / Ogólny stan zdrowia, poczucie koherencji oraz style radzenia sobie ze stresem rodziców uczestniczacych w "Warsztatach dla rodziców dzieci nadpobudliwych".

OBJECTIVES: The assessment of changes in the general health, sense of coherence and stress coping styles in parents of children and adolescents with ADHD, participating in 12-week Workshops for Parents of Hyperactive Children. METHODS: The experimental group included 186 mothers and 139 fathers (parents of 199 children); the reference group included 23 mothers and 19 fathers (parents of 24 children), attending 1-2 standard medical visits within a 12-week period (treatment as usual). Parents from both groups were assessed twice using (1) the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ), (2) the Life Orientation Questionnaire (SOC-29), and (3) the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations (CISS). RESULTS: (1) The experimental group showed a significant improvement in the severity of somatic symptoms and anxiety/insomnia in mothers and the general well-being of mothers and fathers. We observed the influence of workshops on manageability and reduction of the emotion-oriented coping in mothers; (2) the participation in the workshops was associated with a statistically significant effect (mostly moderate) in relation to general health of mothers, while TAU was mostly associated with a low or insignificant effect. CONCLUSIONS: The assessed form of interventions improves the functioning of parents of children with ADHD.

[State and trait anxiety level and increase of depression among mothers of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and conduct disorder. pilot study]. / Poziom leku jako stanu i jako cechy oraz nasilenie depresji u matek dzieci z zespolem nadpobudliwosci psychoruchowej i zaburzeniami zachowania - doniesienie wstepne.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate anxiety level (as a trait and as a state) and the intensity of depressive symptoms in mothers of children with hyperkinetic disorder (HD) and with and without comorbid conduct disorder (CD); to determine the relationship between the intensity of anxiety and depression and intensity of symptoms of HD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and STAI questionnaire to measure state-trait anxiety were filled by 24 mothers of children with HD and 26 mothers of children without HD. Mothers of children with HD were also asked to complete the Conners Questionnaire for Parents and Teachers (IOWA). Teachers were asked to complete the Conners Questionnaire for Teachers (RCTS). RESULTS: 75% of HD subjects had a comorbid CD, in comparison with 19.2 % in the control group. No significant differences were found between the mothers of children with HD and the control group in the results of BDI scale and STAI questionnaire in anxiety state and anxiety trait subscales. The difference was found between mothers of children with CD and without CD in anxiety-state subscale in STAI questionnaire. No correlations were found between the number of depressive symptoms, anxiety as a state and as a trait and the results of Conners IOWA and RCTS. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of HD in children does not correlate with the level of depression and anxiety in their mothers. There is a relationship between the presence of CD in children and elevated levels of state anxiety in their mothers.

[Self-esteem of boys with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder - pilot study]. / Samoocena chlopców z zespolem nadpobudliwosci psychoruchowej i zaburzen koncentracji uwagi - doniesienie wstepne.

AIM: To compare the self concept of boys with ADHD and health subjects; to determine which symptoms ofADHD, oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) or conduct disorder (CD) have the greatest impact on self-concept. METHOD: Polish version of The Harter Self-Esteem Questionnaire (HSEQ) was filled by boys with ADHD and control group. In addition, a diagnosis of ODD and CD was made in ADHD group. RESULTS: A significant difference was observed between boys with ADHD and control group on the following scales of HSEQ: Global Self-Esteem Subscale, Social Acceptance Subscale and Scholastic Performance Subscale. No significant influence of the quantity and intensity of ADHD and ODD symptoms on self-esteem was found. A significant correlation was indicated between all scales of HSEQ and quantity and intensity of symptoms ofADHD. CONCLUSIONS: Boys with ADHD have lower self-esteem than their healthy peers and their global self-esteem, social acceptance and school skills are most affected. The presence of conduct disorder (CD) had the greatest impact on the decrease of self esteem in ADHD group.

[Parental corporal punishment in children with attention-deficit hyperactivity syndrome]. / Karanie fizyczne dzieci z zespolem nadpobudliwosci psychoruchowej przez ich rodziców.

AIM: The aim of this study was to assess the frequency and causes of corporal punishment in children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in comparison with the general population and to evaluate methods of prevention applied in The Department of Child Psychiatry in Warsaw. METHOD: 82 parents of children with ADHD participating in the Parental Training Programme were asked to fill in an anonymous questionnaire concerning corporal punishment. RESULTS: 95% parents abuse their children physically. ADHD in parents and co-occurrence of ADHD symptoms in children influence punishment frequency. Parents with ADHD, in comparison with parents without ADHD use more serious types of physical punishment. After the Parental Training Programme 72% parents used other kinds of punishment. CONCLUSIONS: Parental corporal punishment in children with ADHD is not uncommon. The efficacy of psychoeducation in the examined area seems to be very promising.