Parent Perceptions of Medication Treatment for Preschool Children with ADHD
Katie C Hart1, Rosmary Ros2, Victoria Gonzalez2
1Department of Psychology, Center for Children and Families, Florida International University, Miami, FL, 33199, USA. khart@fiu.edu.
Insights
Parental openness to ADHD medication in preschoolers is low (45%). Openness was not linked to ADHD severity but was associated with higher child aggression and oppositionality, impacting early intervention strategies.
Area of Science:
- Child Psychology
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders
- Pediatric Psychiatry
Background:
- Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder in children.
- Early intervention is crucial for managing ADHD symptoms and improving long-term outcomes.
- Parental perceptions significantly influence treatment decisions for pediatric ADHD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate parent perceptions of medication use in preschool children at risk for or diagnosed with ADHD.
- To identify factors associated with parental openness to medication as a treatment option.
Main Methods:
- Surveyed 151 medication-naive preschool children (mean age 5.05 years, 78% male, 82% Hispanic/Latino) and their parents.
- Parents completed questionnaires on family background and medication perceptions.
- Parents and teachers rated child symptomatology, behavior, and functional impairment.
Main Results:
- Only 45% of parents were open to medication for their child.
- Parental openness was not associated with child demographics, ADHD symptom severity, or functional impairment.
- Children whose parents were open to medication showed higher levels of oppositionality and aggression (parent-reported).
Conclusions:
- Parental acceptance of ADHD medication in early childhood is limited.
- Factors beyond symptom severity influence treatment decisions.
- Findings highlight the need for tailored early intervention approaches considering parental attitudes and child behavioral profiles.
Abstract:
This study sought to examine parent perceptions of medication use for 151 preschool children (M age = 5.05 years, 78% male, 82% Hispanic/Latino) with or at-risk for ADHD who were medication naive. Parents completed questionnaires regarding family background and perceptions of medication treatment. Parents and teachers completed ratings of child diagnostic symptomatology, behavioral functioning, and functional impairment. Results indicate that only 45% of parents were open to the possibility of medication. No associations were found between child demographics, severity of ADHD symptoms, or level of functional impairment and parental openness to medication. On the other hand, children of parents who were open to medication tended to have higher levels of oppositionality and aggression (as reported by parents but not teachers) compared with children of parents who were not open to medication. These findings are discussed in the context of early intervention given their implications for a variety of treatment providers.
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