Comparison of the Effect of Parenting Model Based on Executive Function Theory and Barkley’s Program on Self-Control in Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder Children

The aim of the present study is to compare the effectiveness of a parenting model based on executive function theory and the Barkley program on self-control in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. This study is an applied and randomized clinical trial. The study population is mothers with children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in Isfahan in the spring and summer of 2018, of whom 45 subjects were purposively selected based on entry and baseline criteria and randomly divided into three groups (two experimental groups and one control group). Fifteen subjects were assigned to each group. The Self-Control Assessment Scale (SCRS) was used to measure the dependent variable at different stages of the study. The first experimental group received 12 sessions of the achievement theory- based parenting model, the second experimental group received 8 sessions of the Barkley program, and the control group received no treatment. Data were analyzed by repeated measures ANOVA and SPSS-26 software. The parenting model based on the theories of executive functions and the Barkley program had positive effects on self-control of children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (p<0.05). That is, parenting models based on executive function theories and the Barkley program significantly improved self-control in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Therefore, parenting models based on theories of executive functions and the Barkley program, together with other effective therapies, are likely to improve self-control in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.