Parents' perceptions of care-giving to a child with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: An exploratory study
Sze-Wan Carol Ho
Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital, Tai Po, NT Hong Kong
Wai Tong Chien
School of Nursing, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, PR China
Li-Qun Wang
School of Nursing, Jilin Medical College, Jilin, PR China
PP: 041 - 056
Abstract
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common neurobehavioral childhood disorder in which parental care-giving is found very stressful. Limited qualitative research is found on their care-giving experiences.
This study aimed to explore Chinese parents' experiences of care-giving to a child with ADHD at home. It was conducted at one Child and Adolescent Mental Health Unit in Hong Kong using qualitative exploratory approach. A purposive sample of 12 parents was recruited. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, each lasting about one hour. Content analysis was used to analyze the data.
From the interview data, four themes were identified, including: concept of the illness, barriers to child care in ADHD, psychological effects in care-giving, and positive aspects of care-giving. The parents indicated a variety of life problems and health concerns in care-giving. The findings may help nurses understand the perceptions and barriers towards parental care of a child with ADHD in a Chinese population and consider parents' educational needs in care-giving.
Keywords
parents; care-giving experiences; qualitative exploratory design; attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
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