The relationship between children with ADHD and parental depression among low -income families

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between parental depression and the prevalence of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) among pre-adolescent children. The study was quantitative and used secondary data drawn from Welfare, Children, and Families: A Three City Study (WCF). WCF has a series of studies measuring the effects of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) legislation on predominantly single female headed families and was under the auspices of Dr. Pamela Winston at Johns Hopkins University. While the original sample for WCF was approximately 2,400, this study used a sub-sample of approximately 590 families with pre-adolescent children (ages 11--13). The data was analyzed with descriptive statistics using SPSS 11.5.;This study examined separately the prevalence of both parental depression (Nicholson & Clayfield, 2004; Reinherz, Paradis, Giaconia, Stashwick, & Fitzmaurice, 2003; Newport, Stowe, Nemeroff, 2002) and children with ADHD (Barkley, 2002; 1997; 1996; Bernier, 1994; Olfson, Gameroff, Marcus, and Jenson, 2003; Silver, 1999). The study then explored the relationship between the two disorders (Baumann, Pelham, Lang, and Jacob, 2004; Chi and Hinshaw, 2002; Vitanza and Guarnaccia, 1999; Anastopoulos, Guevremont, Shelton, and DuPaul, 1992). While each variable (ADHD and parental depression) was examined, the emphasis of the inquiry was on the relationship between the two variables within families.