Comparison of the Effectiveness of Parenting Model Based on Executive Function Theory and Barkley’s Program on Executive Functions and Learning Behaviors of Children with Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder

Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder is one of the most common disorders in children and those with it have deficits in executive functions and concentration and learning. Therefore the aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of parenting model based on executive function theory and Barkley’s program on executive functions and learning behaviors of children with attention deficit / hyperactivity disorder. The research method was quasi-experimental designs with pretest-posttest and two-month follow-up. A sample of 45 mothers with children with attention deficit / hyperactivity disorder in Isfahan in spring and summer of 2018 was selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria in three groups (two experimental and one control group) and each group 15 persons were assigned. The College Neuropsychological Test (2002) and the Learning Behaviors Scale (2000) at pre-test, post-test, and follow-up were used to measure the dependent variables. The first experimental group underwent 12 sessions of parenting model based on performance theory and the second experimental group underwent 8 sessions of Barkley’s program and the control node received no treatment. Data were analyzed by repeated measures ANOVA and SPSS software. Parenting model based on theories of executive functions and Barkley’s program have positive effects on executive functions and learning behaviors of children with attention deficit / hyperactivity disorder (p<0.05). That is, parenting paradigms based on theories of executive functions and the Barkley’s program have significantly improved executive functions and learning behaviors of children with attention deficit / hyperactivity disorder. Therefore, the parenting model based on theories of executive functions and the Barclays program are applicable to improve the executive functions and learning behaviors of children with attention deficit / hyperactivity disorder along with other effective treatments.