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Parent–Child Relationships and ADHD Symptoms: A Longitudinal Analysis

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Abstract

Evidence both from psychological research and clinical intervention studies suggests that there are bidirectional influences between overt child behavior problems and parent–child relations. Very little research however, has considered the pattern of relations that exists between Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and the parent–child relationship within a longitudinal context. Using a longitudinal community sample from the United Kingdom which included 194 school aged children (46% male and 54% female) and both parents, this study examined the relationship between child ADHD symptoms and displays of rejection in the parent–child relationship. These relationships were investigated separately for mothers and fathers using cross-lagged panel correlation and reciprocal effects analysis. Mothers and fathers reported on ADHD symptoms and children reported on their feelings of rejection in the mother–child and father–child relationships. Results suggested differences in the direction of effects linking mother– and father–child rejection and child ADHD symptoms; with ADHD symptoms affecting the mother–child relationship and the converse pattern of effects noted for fathers. Implications for future research focusing on the link between ADHD symptoms and parent–child relationships are discussed.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the families and schools who participated in this study. We would also like to thank Katherine Shelton and Janet Whitley for their assistance with the project. This paper was supported by a research grant awarded to GH by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC, R000222569) and a postgraduate research studentship awarded to KL jointly by the Economic and Social Research Council and the Medical Research Council (ESRC/MRC, PTA-037-2005-00040).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Psychology, Cardiff University, Tower Building, Park Place, Cardiff, CF10 3AT, UK

    Kate J. Lifford & Gordon T. Harold

  2. Department of Psychological Medicine, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Heath Park, Cardiff, CF14 4XN, UK

    Kate J. Lifford & Anita Thapar

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  1. Kate J. Lifford
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  2. Gordon T. Harold
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Correspondence to Kate J. Lifford.

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Lifford, K.J., Harold, G.T. & Thapar, A. Parent–Child Relationships and ADHD Symptoms: A Longitudinal Analysis. J Abnorm Child Psychol 36, 285–296 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10802-007-9177-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10802-007-9177-5

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