Detailed contribution information
| Contribution title | 2834 - Relationship between child ADHD status and social functioning after 18 months: A longitudinal investigation of the mediating effect of parenting style |
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| Contribution code | PS01-45 (P) |
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| Form of presentation | Poster |
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| Abstract |
Objective: In a community-based sample of children with and without ADHD, this study investigated whether parenting style mediates the relationship between current ADHD status and prospective social outcomes. Method: Participants were children (66.2% male) classified as ADHD (n=179) or non-ADHD controls (n=212), and their parents (93.5% female). ADHD was assessed using the Conners ADHD index and the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children-IV. Parent-reported subscales from the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, and the Social Skills Improvement System were used to measure child social functioning at baseline (M age: 7.3 years; SD = 0.4) and after 18 months (M age: 8.9 years; SD=0.4). Parenting style was assessed via self-report measures of warmth, consistency and anger at both time points. Confirmatory factor analyses was used to generate a social functioning latent variable. Results: A one-factor model was a good fit to the 18-month social functioning variables. Parenting consistency and parenting anger at baseline partially mediated the relationship between ADHD status at baseline and 18-month social functioning. Specifically, lower parenting consistency and higher parenting anger in the ADHD group at baseline, partially accounted for lower levels of social functioning in this group after 18-months, relative to non-ADHD controls. These mediating effects were independent of socio-demographic factors, disruptive effects of externalising co-morbidities, autism spectrum disorder and changes in parenting over time. Following additional consideration of parent distress, parenting consistency was no longer a significant mediator; and following consideration of baseline social functioning, no mediating effects held. Conclusion: Lower parenting consistency and greater parenting anger for children with ADHD partially contribute to poorer social functioning for these children over time, relative to typically-developing children. However, parent distress and child social competence at age 7.3 years has a strong contribution to future social functioning at age 8.9 years, and these factors attenuate the contribution of parenting style. Support for parents experiencing distress, and promotion of consistent and calm parenting for children with ADHD may be necessary prior to age 7.3 years, in order to help bridge the gap between future social outcomes for these children and their typically-developing peers. |