The Effect of Mother's Object Relation on Mother's Rearing Attitude and Children's Self-Esteem in Children with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: This study examined maternal object relations, child's and mother's perception on rearing attitude, and children's self-esteem in children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and their mothers. METHODS: 64 children with ADHD and their mothers were included in the study group. In the control group, there were 85 children and their mothers. Mothers completed the following tests : Bell object relation inventory (BORI), maternal behavior research instrument (MBRI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and Korean ADHD Rating Scale (K-ARS). Children completed Children's Report of Parental Behavior Inventory (CRPBI) and Rosenberg self-esteem scale. RESULTS: Mothers of ADHD children displayed more rejecting and controlling parenting style than mothers in the control group. ADHD children showed lower self-esteem and perceived their parents as not affectionate, but rejecting and controlling. Mothers with ADHD children who belonged to object relations pathological group showed more rejecting rearing attitude and their children believed that they were more controlling, compared with children and mothers in other conditions. Among factors in mother's object relations, insecure attachment and ego-centricity impacted the rearing attitude. In turn, affective rearing attitude mainly influenced children's self-esteem. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that the approach focused on mother's object relations may help with the treatment of children with ADHD.