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Lee-Flynn, Sharon C.; Lui, Joyce H. L.; Johnston, Charlotte; Lee, Catherine M. (Catherine Mary), 1955-

Objective: In 2 studies, we tested whether parental attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms are associated with self-reports of more positive parenting, even after accounting for observed positive parenting behaviors. Method: In Study 1, 96 mothers with sons 8 –11 years of age participated; 44% of the boys were diagnosed with ADHD. The majority of mothers and sons were European Caucasian. In Study 2, 48 parents (24 mother–father pairs) with children 6 –12 years of age participated. All children in Study 2 were diagnosed with ADHD, and 75% of the children were boys. More than 90% of the families were Caucasian. In both studies, parents self-reported on their positive parenting, and positive parenting was observed in parent– child interactions. Results: In models including relevant demographic variables, other parental psychopathologies, and both inattentive and hyperactive/impulsive symptoms, parents with higher levels of hyperactive/impulsive symptoms self-reported engaging in significantly more positive parenting behaviors than were observed. Parental inattentive symptoms were not uniquely associated with self-reports of positive parenting. This pattern was found for both mothers and fathers, and across families with and without children diagnosed with ADHD. Conclusions: Results suggest that high levels of parental ADHD symptoms may be associated with over-estimation of positive parenting behaviors. Reasons for the distinction between the types of ADHD symptoms associated with higher self-reports of positive parenting and the clinical implications of the findings are discussed.

Article; Postprint

eng

Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library

10.14288/1.0224116

Arts, Faculty of; Psychology, Department of; Non UBC

10.1037/a0033490

Faculty

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.5/ca/