The impact of an ADHD diagnosis on the parent-child relationship V1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A qualitative exploration of the impact of an ADHD diagnosis on the parent-child relationship
IRAS ID
257528
Contact name
James Williams
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Liverpool
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 2 months, 1 days
Research summary
How does a child’s diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) impact the parent-child relationship?
A childhood diagnosis of ADHD is one of the most common reasons that children and their families seek support from mental health services, with research suggesting that parents in this group experience high levels of stress. Parents are expected to play an important role in supporting their child with their ADHD diagnosis, however many parents report that they do not have the information or support from services that they need.
The parent-child relationship is an important factor in child mental health and wellbeing, yet there has been a lack of research which explores the journey of this relationship before, during and after a child receives a diagnosis of ADHD. Understanding this relationship better will help services and health professionals to consider how best to support children and their care-givers following a diagnosis of ADHD.
The study is qualitative and will build a model which explains any changes that may occur in the parent-child relationship following a child diagnosis of ADHD. Participants will be parents who have a child aged between 8-16 who received a diagnosis of ADHD at least 18 months ago. Participants will be invited to take part in an interview up to one hour long to discuss their retrospective experiences of their child receiving a diagnosis of ADHD, how this may have impacted their understanding of their child and how it may have affected their relationship.
Recruitment will take place from across three Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) (North Manchester, Knowsley, and Wirral 14-18 CAMHS) and from the ASD assessment team at Alder Hey Children's Hospital. Additional participants will be recruited from non-NHS sites (e.g. parent support groups). This study is funded by the University of Liverpool and will run until April 2020.
REC name
North West - Greater Manchester East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/NW/0223
Date of REC Opinion
24 Apr 2019
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion