haniyeh mohammadi; zahra naderi nobandegani; samaneh asadi; tahereh sadeghiyeh
Abstract
AbstractThe aim of this study is to investigate the mediating role of the dimensions of reflective functioning in the relationship between insecure attachment styles and parenting stress in parents of child with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. The method of the current research was correlation-structural ...
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AbstractThe aim of this study is to investigate the mediating role of the dimensions of reflective functioning in the relationship between insecure attachment styles and parenting stress in parents of child with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. The method of the current research was correlation-structural equation modeling and the research population included parents of children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder in Yazd city in 1401. Among them, the sample consisted of 295 fathers and mothers of these children selected using convenient method and fulfilled the questionnaires of experience of close relationships by Brennan et al. (1998), Parental reflective functioning by Luyten et al. (2017) and parents stress by Abidin (1995), in person or online. In the next step the data was analyzed using the statistical method of path analysis and multi-group analysis. The findings of the research showed that in both groups of mothers and fathers, pre-metallization can play a mediating role in the relationship between insecure anxious attachment style and parenting stress in fathers and mothers of children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Also, multi group analysis confirmed the role of parents' gender, and in the difference between these two groups, the path of avoidant attachment to parenting stress was significant in the mothers' group as opposed to the fathers' group. As a result, according to the findings, it can be said that in both groups of mothers and fathers, anxious attachment plays an important role in increasing pre-mentalization about children with disorders and thus increases the stress of parenting.Keywords: attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, parenting stress, Parental reflective functioning, insecure attachment style. Extended Abstract IntroductionAttention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common developmental neurodevelopmental disorders in childhood. Children with ADHD show more and more vigorousness, hyperactivity, neglect and sudden behaviors than normal children, and parents of these children often report high hopelessness in trying to manage their behavior. The researchers found that parents with children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder experienced significantly more parental stress than parents with a child with normal development. In addition to these factors, parental attachment style affects their ability to cope with stress, and consequently these styles may also affect the stress of parents.At the same time, one of the important variables that can play a role in the relationship between parental attachment style and parenting stress is reflective functioning. It combines the concept of psychoanalysis of mind-set and attachment theories and refers to the ability of parents or caregivers to imagine their child's mental states such as their feelings, wishes, and desires.In general, the research question is whether the dimensions of reflective functioning can play the mediating role in the relationship between insecure attachment styles and parental stress in parents of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder? Literature Research The dominant model of parental stress identifies two main components: the child's domain, which originates directly from the child's characteristics, and the parent domain, which is most influenced by the parents' own performance. Overall stress is a combination of parent and child stress. Studies on families of children with ADHD show that parental stress increases in both areas. Parents who experience extreme levels of parental stress may be less able to take steps to help their child.Attachment theory holds that people's attachment systems are activated in stressful situations, such as when a child is afraid, or in pain, seeks to be close to his or her parent and feels relaxed in this way. Adult attachment can be described by two dimensions, anxious attachment and avoidance attachment. According to research, low maternal score in avoidant and anxious attachment styles is associated with higher resiliency against children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.The concept of reflective functioning combines the concept of psychoanalytic mentalization and attachment theories and refers to the ability of parents or caregivers to imagine their child's mental states such as their feelings, wishes, and desires. The three key dimensions of parental reflective functioning include: methods of pre-mentalization, confidence in state of mind and interest and curiosity.The first dimension, the state of pre-mentalization, refers to a non-subjective position that is often characteristic of parents with severe impairments in parental reflective functioning. The second dimension, certainty of mental states , refers to parents' ability to recognize that mental states are inherently ambiguous. The third dimension refers to the parents' curiosity and interest in the child's state of mind, i.e., the parents' willingness to understand the child. Studies that have evaluated parents' reflective capacity indicate that parents' ability to mentalize can be an important factor for tolerance of neonatal distress, reinforcement of more positive discipline strategies and less parental stress perception. Regarding the difference between parents and mothers, in some studies, mothers were more likely than fathers to believe that their children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder were stressful. MethodologyThe present study was conducted by correlation-structural equation modeling. The statistical population consisted of mothers and fathers of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder living in Yazd city in 1401 and the sample consisted of 295 parents who were selected using convenient method. After collecting the questionnaires, AMOS-24 and SPSS-24 software were used for data analysis. In addition, descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation), correlation coefficients, multi-group analysis and index of fit were used to investigate the research question. The research instruments included the Experiences of Close Relationships, Parental Reflective Functioning Questionnaire and Parents Stress Questionnaire. ResultsThe results showed that in both groups of mothers and fathers, only the correlation coefficients of pre-mentalization scale with parenting stress (r=0.55 and fathers: r=0.50) were significant. Also, the correlation coefficient of insecure attachment anxiety with parenting stress was significant for both groups (r=0.56 and fathers: r=0.40) while insecure avoidance attachment correlation coefficient (mothers: r=0.22) was significant only for mothers. Therefore, for better fit, non-significant pathways were removed from the model and without these two subscales the models were fitted. Then, in the form of mediation model, pre-mentalization was shown in relation between the variables of the research.Mediation Model of Parental Pre-Mentalization in the Relationship between Insecure Attachment Styles (Anxiety/Avoidance) and Fathers' Parenting Stress According to the form of avoidance, attachment pathway to parental stress (β =-0.04) and pre-mentalization (β =-0.09) is non-significant. On the other hand, the attachment pathways of anxiety to pre-mentalization (β=0.47), anxiety attachment to parenting stress (β=0.26) and pre-mentalization to parenting stress (β=0.38) are significant.Mediation Model of Parental Pre-mentalization in the Relationship between Insecure Attachment Styles (Anxiety/Avoidance) and Parental Stress of Mothers According to mothers' model, avoidance attachment to pre-mentalization (β=0.05) is not significant. On the other hand, avoidant attachment pathways to parenting stress (β=0.17), anxiety attachment to pre-mentalization (β=0.53), anxiety attachment to parenting stress (β=0.37) and pre-mentalization to parenting stress (β=0.36) are significant. In order to improve the overall fitness of two models of parents and mothers, the model was modified by applying the covariance between avoidant attachment and anxious attachment and the results of fitting the model before and after the modification were brought. According to the results of fit, it seems that regression weights make a difference in at least some pathways between the fit of mothers and fathers. Therefore, the role of parents' gender in the research model was confirmed. DiscussionIn explaining this finding, it can be said that considering that reflective functioning is the operationalization of mental processes that reinforces the capacity of mentalization. When parents are able to understand the meaning and purpose of their child's signals, it gives a more appropriate response, thus forming a reflective functioning or ability to perceive oneself and others in mental states such as thoughts, feelings, and intentions. So parents who reflect are able to understand their child's behaviors according to mental states. Similarly, in dealing with children, they experience less stress caused by confusion in behavior and dealing with the child. Parents who are not able to build capacity in this area will have more stress. ConclusionInsecure attachment (especially anxious attachment) seems to cause serious disorders in parental pre-mentalization and because parents with this style cannot understand a child with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, they experience high stress. AcknowledgementWe need to thank all the people who helped us in this study, especially parents of children with ADHD and also members of Dr. Tahereh Sadeghiye Psychiatric Clinic. * Corresponding Author: zahra.naderi@yazd.ac.irHow to Cite: Saeed, M., Saeed, M., Saeed, M. (2024). The Mediating Role of Parental Reflective Functioning Dimensions in the Relationship Between Parental Insecure Attachment Styles and Parenting Stress in Parents of Children With Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder, Journal of Psychology of Exceptional Individuals, 13(52), 1-29. DOI: 10.22054/jpe.2023.74893.2602
mehdi rasuli; Saeed Rezayi; fateme nikkhoo; .Parviz Sharifi Daramadi
Abstract
Abstract
The present study was conducted with the aim of investigating the effectiveness of computer-assisted cognitive rehabilitation on the working memory components of students with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. The statistical population of the research included all male students with ...
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Abstract
The present study was conducted with the aim of investigating the effectiveness of computer-assisted cognitive rehabilitation on the working memory components of students with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. The statistical population of the research included all male students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in Tehran. To select a sample from among all male students suffering from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in Tehran, 30 of them were in the age range of 7 to 12 years old (students in elementary school) according to the inclusion criteria using the purposeful sampling method. They were selected as samples and were randomly divided into two experimental and control groups. The research tools included Connor's behavioral questionnaire and the Wechsler IQ memory test for children. The cognitive rehabilitation program of Yar Captain Log computer was implemented for 10 sessions of 60 minutes and twice a week for the experimental group. The results of the covariance analysis showed that the computerized cognitive rehabilitation program has improved the active memory components of students with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (P<0.05) and can be used as a suitable method to improve the active memory of these students.
Keywords: Computer-Aided Cognitive Rehabilitation, Working Memory, Students, Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.
Extended Abstract
Introduction
Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder is one of the most common neuropsychological disorders known in children and adolescents, and longitudinal studies have shown that this disorder is generally stable during development (Tandon and Perjika, 2017). Worldwide, this disorder affects about 8 to 12% of children under 12 years of age (Ronald et al., 2021). But research showed that the prevalence of this disorder among children in Iran is 10 to 12%. (Rafiei et al., 2019). This disorder of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder is associated with extensive negative consequences (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). This disorder leads to disorder in various fields and affects not only the individual but also the structure of the family and society. (Schneider et al., 2019) One of the areas in which children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder have problems and have a lot of failure is working memory (Michelini et al., 2023)
Active memory is a systematic structure that connects short-term and long-term memory functions with other cognitive and emotional dimensions. To put it more clearly, active memory means keeping information in the mind and performing continuous activities on it in the shortest possible time (Criter et al., 2022. (In general, active memory is divided into two parts: visual active memory and auditory active memory. Visual working memory is a part of fundamental function of working memory that allows temporary storage and manipulation of visual information related to an ongoing or imminent behavior or activity (Gambarota and Sessa, 2019). Active auditory memory also refers to the process of keeping sounds in the mind for short periods of time when sounds do not exist in the environment for a relatively long period of time (Kamar et al., 2016). Today, active memory as one of the most important and fundamental issues has attracted the attention of many researchers (Perez Martin et al., 2017; quoted by Fathabadi et al., 2019).
Although there is evidence of the beneficial and effective effects of stimulant drugs such as Ritalin for improving the symptoms of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder and reducing cognitive problems with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, the problem is that some other evidence shows that the symptoms of this disorder recur immediately after stopping the drug, and in addition, parents avoid giving the drug to their children due to the fear of stigma and side effects of the drugs (Killo et al., 2018). Therefore, the importance of dealing with non-pharmacological treatments to improve the complications of this disorder has become more and more in the spotlight, and among them, non-invasive approaches based on computer-based cognitive rehabilitation can be mentioned to improve cognitive performance, including the working memory of these children. (Zinali and Mirzadeh, 2018)
Although many studies have pointed to the effectiveness of cognitive rehabilitation on improving the cognitive performance of students with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and also many studies have pointed to the effectiveness of computer-based cognitive rehabilitation on improving the cognitive performance of other groups, unfortunately, the role of computer use in the cognitive rehabilitation of children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder has been neglected, therefore, in view of the above, the present study fills the research gap in this field and is also important from the practical point of view, and the question of the present study is this: Is computer-aided cognitive rehabilitation effective on the working memory of students with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder?
Literature Review
In line with the current research, Zare et al. (2019) showed in a research that computerized cognitive rehabilitation is effective in improving the working memory and cognitive flexibility of children with learning disabilities. Ranjbar et al. (2019) showed in a research that computer-based cognitive rehabilitation tasks improved the cognitive processes of children with executive function defects. In a research, Iriwaki et al. (2016) concluded that computerized cognitive rehabilitation has reduced the cognitive deficit of students with learning disabilities. Xiao et al. (2022) showed in a research that computerized cognitive rehabilitation improves the cognitive performance of students, and Skiankaper et al. (2022) showed in a research that computerized cognitive rehabilitation improves the cognitive function of children. In recent years, according to the advancement of the knowledge of psychologists and educational specialists, attention to children's cognitive issues, especially the search for solutions to solve children's cognitive problems, has become prominent, among which cognitive interventions for children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder are also of this rule. It is not excluded (Miranda et al., 2013)
Methodology
The research design was a semi-experimental pre-test-post-test type with a control group. The statistical population of the present study includes all male patients suffering from Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Tehran. In this research, to select a sample from among all male students suffering from attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder in Tehran, 30 people were selected as a sample according to the inclusion criteria by purposive sampling method and were randomly divided into two experimental groups and were controlled. In order to collect information and gain access to the sample community, the researcher, after obtaining a research permit from the General Directorate of Education and Education of Region 3, went to educational psychology centers and by presenting a letter of introduction and coordinating with the director of the center, the sample group of boys with Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder was selected based on psychiatric records, and after obtaining consent from their parents, Connors questionnaire (parent form) was completed to ensure the diagnosis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
Results
In the current study, the sample included 30 students who were in the age range of 7-12 years and with an average of 10 years. Descriptive information on the active memory variable and its components are presented separately for groups in two situations: pre-test and post-test.
According to the results of Table 2, the average of the groups shows that the working memory scores in the post-test of the experimental group have improved compared to the pre-test scores. Covariance analysis was used to analyze the data. For this purpose, the assumptions of the analysis of the covariance test, i.e. the assumption of normality of the distribution, were checked using the Kalmogorov-Smirnov test (P>0.05) and the results of the normality of the distribution were confirmed. Levine's test was used to check the homogeneity of error variance. This test did not show any violation of this assumption. Analysis of covariance test was used for the effectiveness of computer-aided cognitive rehabilitation on working memory components of children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
The results show that there is a significant difference between the experimental and control groups in the variables of auditory and visual active memory (P<0.05). Considering that the average of the experimental group compared to the control group shows an improvement in the dependent variable, it can be concluded that computerized cognitive rehabilitation has led to an improvement in working memory.
Conclusion
In explaining the effectiveness of computer-aided cognitive rehabilitation on the improvement of working memory components (auditory and visual) of students with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, it can be said that Captain Log cognitive rehabilitation software was used in this research because this software teaches orientation skills, response inhibition, multi-step commands, and auditory and visual memory, it can improve active auditory and visual memory in these students. Completing the tasks and games in the software requires the engagement of auditory and visual working memory, and by playing the game and moving to higher levels, the amount of this engagement increases, and with practice and repetition, it strengthens the subject's active memory. It is also possible to point out the feature based on the reinforcement of the tasks of this intervention (Nazarzadeh Giglo et al., 1400). In another explanation, it can be said: an active brain forms very important neurological connections for learning, while a brain that is not active does not create this stable and necessary neurological information. Having the ability to adjust the level of difficulty of tasks from simple to difficult increases brain activity, therefore, failure in working memory is related to dysfunction in the frontal lobe, on the other hand, Yar's cognitive rehabilitation with Captain Lockeg software can stimulate these areas (Abdelmohammadi and colleagues, 1401). For this reason, in this research, computerized cognitive rehabilitation has improved the working memory components (auditory and visual) of students with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
In general, according to the findings of the current research on the effectiveness of computer-aided cognitive rehabilitation on improving working memory components (auditory and visual) of students with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, it is appropriate that schools and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder treatment centers use the computerized cognitive rehabilitation package with the aim of improving the working memory components of students with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
Mahdi Abdollahzadeh Rafi; Fateme Rezaei; Saeed Ariapooran
Abstract
Abstract
The study aimed to investigate the effect of increasing patience group training on self-efficacy and attitude of mothers with exceptional children. This quasi-experimental study involved a pre-test-post-test design with a control group. The population of the study included all mothers with ...
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Abstract
The study aimed to investigate the effect of increasing patience group training on self-efficacy and attitude of mothers with exceptional children. This quasi-experimental study involved a pre-test-post-test design with a control group. The population of the study included all mothers with exceptional children in Mashhad who were registered with the exceptional education department in Khorasan province. Voluntary participation and sample selection using random sampling were utilized. Thirty-two mothers of exceptional children were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups (16 participants per group). The instruments used to measure the study variables were the patience, Domka self-efficacy, and parents' attitudes toward exceptional children questionnaires. A pre-test was conducted on both groups. The experimental group underwent ten sessions of patience training, while no training was provided to the control group. After the training sessions, both groups took the questionnaires again (post-test). Data were analyzed using univariate analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and multivariate analysis of covariance (MONCOVA). The results revealed that patience training led to enhanced self-efficacy, reduced hopelessness, improved attitude, increased failure tolerance, and lower levels of shame in mothers with exceptional children. As a result, it is recommended that counselors and psychologists focus on patience training in family education programs and groups of parents of exceptional children.
Keywords: Patience, Self-Efficacy, Attitude, Mothers Of Exceptional Children.
Extended Abstract
Introduction
When an exceptional child is born, the parent's experience of parenting and the process of acceptance will be different. (Azad Yekta, 2021). An exceptional child is defined as a child with mental, physical, social, or emotional disorders that may stop or slow down their growth and development. This could lead to behavioral and emotional issues, and pose challenges for parents (Joe and Associates, 2020, Afsari & Zeinali, 2021). Parents may feel a wide range of emotions, including anger, guilt, and disappointment, in their struggle to adapt to the situation of having an exceptional child. This experience has been linked to mental health issues and marriage problems and often leads to a need for receiving educational and empowerment programs (Rane, 2020; Kargar and Asghari Ebrahim Abad, 2015; Rezapour Mirsaleh and associates, 2020). One of the primary reasons for educating mothers is to shape, change and improve their behavior. Group education has been found to be among the most effective approaches in recent years (Norouzi and Associates, 2019). However, there has been a lack of focus on the importance of patience in regard to factors such as self-efficacy and attitude. The potential benefits of cultural and spiritual practices in improving self-efficacy and changing attitudes towards exceptional children have also not received sufficient attention.
This study aims to investigate the effects of a patient-education group based on cultural and religious teachings to enhance endurance and acceptance of hardships in the mothers of exceptional children. The goal is to examine whether this intervention will improve self-efficacy and attitudes in these mothers or not.
Literature review
The experience of living with an exceptional child can be highly challenging for mothers, who are under tremendous mental pressure to help their children navigate various difficulties and maintain their well-being. In this environment, their attitude towards their children is crucial, as it can greatly impact their ability to manage the various challenges they face and ensure their family's well-being (Jebelli & Khademi, 2019; Rani, 2020). Belief in one's self-efficacy has been identified as an important factor in influencing people's attitudes. Triandis explains that improvements in attitude can lead to increases in self-efficacy (Namazi & Associates, 2020). Along with positive attitudes, self-efficacy can fulfill basic cognitive needs such as a sense of worth, autonomy, and social relations. Moreover, the journey towards building self-efficacy can be a challenging one for exceptional children's parents, with potential ups and downs (Smart, 2016).
The role of self-efficacy in life is well-documented, particularly in the context of providing mothers of exceptional children with the necessary skills and support to navigate the challenges they face. Improving self-efficacy has been identified as a priority for these mothers and makes it urgent to develop interventions to address this need. Patience, as outlined by Currier and associates (2015), is central in allowing individuals to find meaning and purpose in times of difficulty. This can provide a valuable framework for understanding the role of self-efficacy in supporting mothers of exceptional children to navigate challenges and find a sense of purpose in their roles.
Patience can be defined as an individual's capability to delay a desired outcome without experiencing negative emotions or reactions towards the present situation (Roberts & Fishbach, 2020). Patience, from a psychological perspective, refers to one's ability to effectively manage internal and external pressures. This can involve learning to respond to challenging situations in a way that reduces stress levels and promotes a sense of emotional security. Psychologists identify three main components in the development and maintenance of patience: emotional, cognitive, and behavioral. These components relate to an individual's ability to tolerate uncertainty, regulate their emotions and beliefs, and modify their behaviors accordingly (Ghebari Bonab & Associates, 2017). Overall, patience
Methodology
This research study examines the impact of patience education on the self-efficacy and attitudes of mothers with children with special needs. The study utilizes a quasi-experimental design, with a randomized control group consisting of two groups of moms: the examination group that received 10 training sessions on patience and the witness group that did not receive any training. The study collected data from 32 moms via pre-testing and post-testing, using questionnaires focused on patience, self-efficacy, and parental attitudes towards exceptional children. This is an important area of research as there is a need to identify and implement effective methods to improve the well-being of mothers with children with special needs.
Introduction to intervention program
Based on this information, it appears that the 10-session training program focused on building patience through a variety of strategies, including:
Learning to use software to facilitate the process
Understanding pain conservation and acceptance
Developing a new perspective on life events
Acquiring an understanding of the process of grief
Recognizing the blessings bestowed by God
Learning to not put oneself in pain while raising exceptional children
Finding inspiration by studying the story of Moses and Khizr
Distincting between tolerance and patience
Improving anger management skills
Developing a sense of positivity
Understanding the different types of angry people and managing anger
Developing existential capacity and assumptions
Identifying ways to develop patience, including changing attitudes towards life and recognizing that patience is a learnable skill
Studying holy verses on patience and its consequences, and engaging in Q&A.
Overall, the program aimed to promote patience among mothers of exceptional children through a combination of educational, spiritual and emotional tools.
Results
The research data was analyzed using single and multi-factor analysis of covariance, and the results indicate that the training of patience can have a positive effect on self-efficacy, change of attitude, failure, disappointment, shame, and patience of mothers of exceptional children.
Table 1. results of comparing two groups in self-efficacy and patience.
factor
Source for change
Sum of squares
Degree od freedom
Average sum of squares
F
P
Effect size
Self-effocacy
Pre-test
84/94
1
84/94
10/1
30/0
03/0
group
17/692
1
7/692
08/8
008/0
21/0
error
34/2483
29
63/85
total
81689
32
Pre-test
75/360
1
75/360
96/5
02/0
17/0
Patience
group
05/684
1
05/687
35/11
002/0
28/0
error
93/1754
29
51/60
total
256823
32
Based on the table provided, it is clear that there is a significant difference between the examination group, which received the training of patience, and the witness group, which did not receive training, in terms of self-efficacy and patience. Specifically, the examination group demonstrated higher self-efficacy and patience in the post-test phase compared to the pre-test phase, indicating that the training of patience has been effective in improving these outcomes. These findings suggest that the training of patience may be an effective intervention strategy to enhance the well-being of mothers of exceptional children.
Discussion
From the findings of this study, it is evident that training in patience can positively influence the self-efficacy, change of attitude, failure, disappointment, shame, and patience of mothers of exceptional children. Patience is an innate human trait that enables individuals to develop the ability to handle life pressures with resilience. The ability to defer one's own interests with the hope of attaining knowledge or a desirable outcome in the future is critical for personal growth and well-being. By improving their patience skills, mothers of exceptional children may be better equipped to handle the challenges of raising children with special needs.
Conclusion
The study showed significant differences in the self-efficacy, change of attitude, failure, disappointment, shame, and patience levels of mothers of children with exceptional needs between the examination and witness groups. As a result, it is recommended that counselors and psychologists consider incorporating patient training in the family education and group programs of mothers of children with exceptional needs to enhance their well-being.
Acknowledgements
We extend our gratitude to the mothers who participated in the study and provided valuable insights into the effect of patient training on their well-being. Their participation was crucial in helping us gather important data and make meaningful contributions to the field. We hope that this research can contribute to developing more effective interventions to support the needs of mothers of exceptional children.
Farzaneh Nazemi,; Parisa Tajali; Majid Ebrahimpour; Mahdieh Salehy
Abstract
Abstract
The aim of this study was to examine the impact of a child self-regulation program on the self-perception and friendship quality of children diagnosed with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The study employed a semi-experimental research design with a pre-test-post-test methodology ...
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Abstract
The aim of this study was to examine the impact of a child self-regulation program on the self-perception and friendship quality of children diagnosed with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The study employed a semi-experimental research design with a pre-test-post-test methodology and a control group. The statistical population for this research comprised all 9-12-year-old girls diagnosed with oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) in Tehran during the 2021-2022 period. The sample size consisted of 30 participants, with 15 assigned to the experimental group and 15 to the control group, selected from the statistical population using an available sampling method. While the control group remained on the waiting list, the experimental group received a child self-regulation program. The research instruments utilized were Harter's self-perception scale (2012) and Zohrevand and Hejazi's (2001) friendship quality assessment. The results indicated that the self-regulation intervention had a significant impact on enhancing self-perception and friendship quality during the post-test and follow-up stages. These findings provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of self-regulation programs, which can be utilized by counselors and psychologists to enhance self-perception and friendship quality among children with ADHD.
Extended abstract
Introduction
Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that often starts in childhood and continues into adulthood (Singh, Kumar, Kaur, Mandal & Kumar, 2022). Literature shows that children with ADHD overestimate their own competence (Varma & Wiener, 2020); for example, in this population, their self-perceptions are often inconsistent with objective measures of performance or parent and teacher ratings of competence. This may lead children with ADHD to have unrealistic self-perceptions (Hoza, Mrug, Gerdes, Hinshaw, Bukowski, Gold & et al., 2005). However, studies show that children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have less stable friendships compared to neurotypical children (Powell, Riglin, Ng-Knight, Frederickson, Woolf, McManus & et al., 2021) and tend to be more friendly with people who have a learning or behavioral problem (Marton, Wiener, Rogers & Moore, 2015). Current strategies for treating children with ADHD mainly focus on pharmacological treatments, but these treatments often do not meet children's and families' needs (Villodas, McBurnett, Kaiser, Rooney & Pfiffner, 2014), and have shown a limited effect (Swanson, Baler & Volkow, 2011). As such, the importance of psychological interventions, especially self-regulation interventions, is becoming increasingly important to reduce and even resolve these problems in individuals with ADHD. The use of self-regulation interventions, such as cognitive behavior therapy, is one of the most common and widely used interventions, and it can be very effective (Guderjahn, Gold, Stadler & Gawrilow, 2013).
Research Questions
Does the child's self-regulation program effectively change the self-perception of children with ADHD?
Does the child's self-regulation program effectively improve the quality of friendship in children with ADHD?" or "What is the impact of a self-regulation program on the quality of friendship for children with ADHD?
Literature Review
In line with the effectiveness of self-regulation training, the results of Moradi, Hashemi, Farzad, Beyrami & Ketamati (2009) showed that teaching self-regulation strategies, motivational behaviors and verbal self-education have significant effects on reducing hyperactivity symptoms of students with ADHD. They are active. In another study, Ebrahimi & Taher (2019) found that self-regulation training is effective in increasing the social skills of students with mild mental retardation by improving the ability to plan, self-review and organize. The results of Abolghasemi, Barzegar & Rostamoghli (2015) also indicate the effectiveness of self-regulation training on improving students' self-efficacy and quality of life.
Methodology
The design of the research was semi-experimental with a pre-test-post-test design and follow-up with a control group. The sample consisted of female students aged 9 to 12 years with ADHD who were studying in schools in Tehran in 2022. The students were selected by education consultants who received a diagnosis of ADHD. For a more accurate diagnosis, a semi-structured clinical interview was conducted to these children. Finally, a sample of 30 students was selected based on the entry criteria and they were replaced in two experimental and control groups (15 experimental people, 15 control people). Both groups completed the Self-Perception Profile for Children (Harter, 2012) and the Friendship Quality Questionnaire (Hejazi & Zohrevand, 2001) as a pre-test. The experimental group then participated in 12 sessions of 45 minutes based on the child's self-regulation intervention, while the control group did not receive any intervention. Immediately after the end of the training sessions, the self-perception scale and the quality of friendship were assessed as a post-test for both groups. They were then followed up after 2 months.
results
The results of this analysis show that there was a significant interaction between stages (pre-test, post-test, follow-up) and groups (experimental and control) for several of the research variables, including self-perception and quality of friendship. The Bonferroni test indicated that the experimental and control groups were significantly different from each other in terms of the research variables at all stages of the study, and that the improvement in self-perception and the quality of friendship observed in the experimental group was stable over time and still present at the follow-up phase. Overall, these results suggest that the child's self-regulation education was effective in improving the self-perception and quality of friendship of the children in the experimental group, and that this effect was sustained over time.
Table 1: Results of analysis of variance with repeated measurements
Variable
Source of Changes
Total Squares
df
Mean of Squares
f
Sig.
Effect Size
Scholastic Competence
Time
208.067
2
104.033
100.832
0.001
0.78
Time×group
102.822
2
51.411
49.829
0.001
0.64
Social Competence
Time
108.022
1.280
84.385
23.720
0.001
0.46
Time×group
93.800
1.280
73.275
20.597
0.001
0.42
Athletic Competence
Time
25.956
1.640
15.831
10.297
0.001
0.27
Time×group
35.467
1.640
21.631
14.071
0.001
0.33
Physical Appearance
Time
89.689
2
44.844
45.531
0.001
0.61
Time×group
118.489
2
59.244
60.151
0.001
0.68
Behavioral Conduct
Time
171.089
2
85.544
70.819
0.001
0.71
Time×group
198.600
2
99.300
82.206
0.001
0.75
Self-Worth
Time
73.489
1.195
61.486
21.839
0.001
0.44
Time×group
38.289
1.195
32.035
11.378
0.001
0.29
quality of friendship
Time
320.267
1.173
273.041
74.979
0.001
0.72
Time×group
219.467
1.173
187.104
51.380
0.001
0.65
Keywords: Self-Regulation, Self-Perception, Friendship Quality, Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.
Alireza Mohammadi Sangachin Doost; Abbasali Hossein Khanzadeh; Maryam Kousha; Ashkan Naseh
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of self-compassion training on the quality of life of mothers of children with attention-deficit / hyperactivity disorder. In this study, a quasi-experimental method with a pre-test-post-test design with a control group was used and its statistical ...
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The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of self-compassion training on the quality of life of mothers of children with attention-deficit / hyperactivity disorder. In this study, a quasi-experimental method with a pre-test-post-test design with a control group was used and its statistical population also included mothers of children aged 5 to 11 years, boys and girls with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in Rasht in 2020-2021. The study sample consisted of 28 mothers from the statistical population selected by convenience sampling method and randomly placed in experimental and control groups. The experimental group participated in the compassion training group as a group for 8 weekly sessions. Both groups were evaluated in two stages of pre-test and post-test with the Short Form Quality of Life Questionnaire (1996). The results showed that the self-compassion training intervention had a significant effect on the scores of quality of life components (physical health, psychological health, social relations, and environmental health), in the post-test stage the scores of quality of life of the experimental group increased significantly (p <0.001). Self-compassion training in comparison with other kinds of training can have very useful results for mothers, especially in order to increase their quality of life, and can be introduced and implemented as one of the axes of parental training in comparison with other methods and training.
Ali Sharifi; Hamid Alizadeh; Bagher Ghobari bonab; Noor Ali Farrokhi
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the profile analysis of memory and attention functioning in children with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Specific Learning Disorder and Comorbid Condition. The descriptive and causal-comparative method was used for this research. Thirty students with ...
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The aim of this study was to investigate the profile analysis of memory and attention functioning in children with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Specific Learning Disorder and Comorbid Condition. The descriptive and causal-comparative method was used for this research. Thirty students with ADHD, 30 students with an SLD, 30 children with the comorbid condition (ADHD + SLD) were selected by the convenience sampling method after diagnosis and evaluation with regard to the working memory and attention functioning in them. The MANOVA and post hoc Cheffe test were used to analyze the collected data. Furthermore, the profile functioning of the four groups in the working memory and attention was presented in a graph. The results of the study showed significant differences between normal children and children with ADHD, children with SLD, and children with the comorbid condition in terms of working memory and attention (p<01). Also, the ADHD group showed the weakest functioning regarding attention, and the weakest function regarding working memory was reported for the SLD group. Additionally, Paired comparison was done for each of the four groups. According to these findings, it can be concluded that comorbidity of these two disorders has a negative effect on working memory. Though, the comorbid condition can play a moderating role in the functioning of attention.
Zohre Valiei; Ahmad Amani
Abstract
The Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is one of the third-generation behavioral therapies that tries to increase psychological flexibility instead of changing cognitions. The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of the group ACT on parenting stress, hardiness, and parent-child ...
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The Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is one of the third-generation behavioral therapies that tries to increase psychological flexibility instead of changing cognitions. The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of the group ACT on parenting stress, hardiness, and parent-child relationship in mothers of children with ADHD. The research method was semi-experimental, with a pre-test, post-test, 2-month follow-up, and control group. The statistical population of the study included all mothers with ADHD children who were studying in Sanandj city. Among them, through the convenience sampling method, 30 subjects who met the criteria for entering the research were first listed and then randomly assigned to two groups of experimental (i.e., ACT) or control. The research tools were the parent-child relationship scale (Pianta, 1992), parenting stress index (Abidin, 1995), and hardiness questionnaire (Cobasa, 1979). The experimental group received eight sessions of ACT training (each session lasting for two hours), while the control group did not receive any intervention. Then, the post-test and, after two-months, the follow-up test were conducted. The obtained data were analyzed using the repeated measures analysis of variance. The findings showed that ACT led to reduced parenting stress, and increased parent-child relationship and hardiness, and the treatment gains were maintained at the follow-up stage. Hence, ACT was effective for parenting stress, hardiness, and parent-child relationship in mothers of ADHD children. The findings emphasized the importance of applying these interventions for the relationship between parent and child, and parenting stress and hardiness in mothers with ADHD child, and the provision pf new horizons for clinical interventions of these mothers and their offspring(s).
Negin Motamed Yeganeh; Gholam Ali Afrooz; Mohsen Shokoohi Yekta; Rachel Weber
Abstract
Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders in childhood. These children are exposed to a lot of problems in the executive functions areas. The issue of neuroplasticity reveals the importance of neuropsychological interventions, since interruptions ...
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Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders in childhood. These children are exposed to a lot of problems in the executive functions areas. The issue of neuroplasticity reveals the importance of neuropsychological interventions, since interruptions in early childhood executive functions may lead to further functional impairment. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the designed intervention program on the Executive functions of children with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. The research method was quasi-experimental with a pretest-posttest-follow up design with the control group. The statistical population of the present study included all the boys and girls students 7-10 years old in Tehran. Among eligible students, 40 individuals along with their mothers were selected using the non-random purposive sampling method and randomly divided into the two groups. The experimental group (N=20) were trained by twelve sessions of Metacognitive Executive Functioning intervention program and the control group (N=20) remained on the waiting list. Data were collected by Clinical interview checklist, the Tehran Stanford-Binet intelligence test and Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Functions. The results indicated a significant effect of Family-based Neuropsychological program on increasing the Executive Functions of children with Attention Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder (p<0.05). This treatment can be a potentially promising intervention for young children with ADHD.
seyed samira madani; hamid alizadeh; Noor Ali Farrokhi; Elham Hakimi rad
Abstract
This research was carried out to develop the educational program of inhibited response, sustained attention, updating, and to examine its impact on attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children. Methodology: The method of research is experimental with pre-test and post-test and follow-up design. ...
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This research was carried out to develop the educational program of inhibited response, sustained attention, updating, and to examine its impact on attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children. Methodology: The method of research is experimental with pre-test and post-test and follow-up design. The population of research included all children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder in schools of district 1 , district 4 and psychology clinic of Tehran (district 3) in the academic year 2016-2017. After selecting 30 subjects who met the inclusion criteria of study as the sample of study, 15 of children were assigned to experimental group and 15 children were assigned to control group using random method. To examine attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder,diagnostic questionnaire of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder was used, and for evaluating executive functions of children, N Beck test, CPT and go-no-go test were used. This program was developed by researchers and children of experimental group participated in this 16-session program , and control group children received no education. findings obtained from covariance analysis and t-test revealed significant difference between mean scores of experimental group and control group in the attention deficit / hyperactivity disorder symptoms. it can be concluded that educational program of inhibited response, sustained attention, updating decreased the symptoms of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder in experimental group children