Being a Child with ADHD, and Parent of them during the Pandemic Period

Abstract

AbstractAlthough genetics is an important factor in the etiology of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), psychosocial factors such as parental attitudes, changes in environment and order are also known to be important in determining severity and prognosis. During the pandemic and lockdown periods, the daily routines and habits of families and children changed significantly. It was aimed to evaluate the mental status and parent-child relationship of parents with children diagnosed with ADHD during the lockdown in Turkey. It also aimed to examine the relationship between these variables and the change in ADHD symptom severity in children. The study included 92 children/adolescents aged 6–18 years who were referred to the child psychiatry department. Parents were given a socio-demographic form, the Turgay scale, the parent-child relationship scale and the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI). There was a significant increase in the severity of ADHD dominant type and conduct disorder (CD) symptom severity in the group who spent their free time on the Internet, the increase in symptom severity was significant with the change in caregivers, and in children whose parents left their jobs. A significant positive correlation was found between all subscales of the BSI and ADHD subtypes, oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) and CD symptom severity. A positive correlation was found between a negative parent-child relationship and ADHD subtypes, ODD and CD symptom severity. It is believed that the results of the study will be useful in approaching children diagnosed with ADHD in case the pandemic intensifies again or restrictions are required for various reasons.