The Effect of Parent Management Training (PMT) on the Reduction of Behavioral Symptoms in Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) consists of a persistent pattern of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsive behaviors which are more severe and common than what is typically observed in children with similar level of development. Some experts argue that all the therapeutic interventions should not focus only on the affected child, but instead they should take into consideration the parents and other family members too. Therefore, the present study was conducted to investigate the effect of Parent Management Training (PMT) program (focused on mothers) on the reduction of behavioral symptoms in children with ADHD.   This study was a quasi-experimental research with pretest-posttest control group design. The study population included all the 7 to 12-year-old children with ADHD in Khanj city of Fars province in 2017. The sample consisted of 30 mothers of the mentioned children who were selected through purposeful sampling according to the inclusion and exclusion conditions of the study and then randomly assigned to either the experimental or the control group. PMT was offered to the experimental group in eight 90-minute sessions, i.e. two sessions per week; whereas the control group received no intervention. Conner’s Parent Rating Scale (CPRS, 1987) and Depression, Anxiety & Stress Scales (DASS-21, 1995) were administered to both experimental and control groups at pretest and posttest stages. Data analysis by analysis of covariance showed that PMT caused a significant difference in the scores of behavioral problems in the experimental group compared to the control group, either in the total score or in the subscales of conduct, social, and psychosomatic problems, anxiety, and shame (P<0.001), in such a way that the behavioral problems in the experimental group decreased significantly at the posttest stage and the effect size was 0.46 (P<0.001). Based on the results of this study, it can be concluded that PMT can modify the emotional and behavioral problems in children with ADHD through correcting family interactive methods, teaching the parents how to behave, enhancing parents' understanding of the behavioral symptoms of the disorder, improving their attitudes towards the disorder, and using corrective punishment and reinforcement methods.