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Objective: We explored the impact of clinical response to treatment for Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children and adolescents on the subsequent changes in their self-image profile, the quality of life of their parents and its effect on socio-demographic variables.
Method: Conner’s Rating Scales for Parents (CPRS-R) and for Teachers (CTRS-R) completed at the time of entry to the service were repeated to measure clinical response to treatment; the Self-Image Profiles for Children (SIP-C) and Adolescents (SIP-A), the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQoL) questionnaire and postcode data were used to evaluate other domains.
Results: Data was collected for 53 boys (84%) and 10 girls (16%) with current mean age 11.5 years. Four-fifths (51/63) received pharmacological treatment and all parents were offered group parent training program. The only subscale in CPRS-R to show significance was the ADHD Index. The CTRS-R demonstrated statistically significant improvement (p<0.01) in most subscales. On the Self-Image Profile, children reported themselves as more kind (p<0.012), more helpful (p<0.038) and less bossy (p<0.047). Comparison of pre- and posttreatment scores on QoL revealed no significant changes; however, correlations of QoL responses against CPRS post-treatment revealed significant negative relationships in a number of instances. Parents living in less deprived areas felt their lives were more meaningful and less likely felt negatively about themselves (p=0.04, N=26, rho=0.405).
Conclusion: Multimodal treatment provided in a specialist ADHD clinic, where a wide range of clinical resources are readily available, can generate significant improvement in the core symptoms of ADHD and oppositional behavior. Such improvement was clearly reflected in the ratings by teachers (CTRS-R). Positive impact of treatment also seems to produce some positive changes in the self-image profile of children in treatment and the quality of life in their parents/careers. Future research aiming to further explore the relationship between children’s self-image and the parental quality of life and the impact of treatment on the latter would be useful. As parents can be directly affected by the emotional and behavioral problems of their children, low quality of life in the parents might be an indicator of their own emotional difficulties. Further research exploring this area might lead to joint intervention between child and adolescent mental health services, primary care and adult mental health services.