The proposed study examined differences in self-concept between ADHD (n = 61) and non-ADHD boys and girls. Participants included 108 children between 6 and 11 years old. Children completed the Self Description Questionnaire-I, and teacher reports of child competence were obtained. Girls reported lower physical ability and mathematics self-concept than boys. The results also indicated that ADHD girls may be more susceptible to low physical ability and mathematics self-concept than control children or ADHD boys. Teachers also rated ADHD girls as having lower scholastic competence than the other three groups. Teachers reported significant differences in level of competence based on ADHD status. The implications of the current study and directions for future research will be presented.

African American families of youth with Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) traditionally have lower rates of ADHD treatment compared to nonminority groups. These treatment disparities underscore the importance of better understanding the barriers to treatment for these families. Therefore, in a sample of 67 African American caregivers of children with ADHD, the current study examined (1) factors that predict barriers to treatment for African American families of children with ADHD and (2) whether caregiver impairment mediates comorbid behavior problems and barriers to treatment for African American youth with ADHD. Analyses revealed that caregiver impairment predicted barriers to treatment and mediated the relationship between comorbid behavior problems and barriers to treatment. These findings highlight how caregiver impairment may play a significant role in preventing African American families from engaging in ADHD treatment for their child. Furthermore, targeting caregiver impairment in treatment may be particularly beneficial for African American families of youth with ADHD.

Social support needs have neither been formally addressed nor assessed in prior research with parents of children of special needs. Typically, behavioral management skills, specific knowledge about the disorder/illness/handicap, parents' self-perception, and participants' evaluation of program effectiveness have been measured. Research information collected to date supports the exploration of social support as a treatment intervention. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to examine perceived social support for parents of children with ADHD who completed a parent training program. The program, entitled "ADHD Parent Training," included information about ADHD, behavior management strategies, child advocacy, and a social support component. Upon completing the ADHD Parent Training program, parents were expected to perceive a significantly greater amount of social support than they did prior to treatment. In addition, the relationship between change in perceived social support and the more traditionally assessed outcomes of parent training was examined (parent's satisfaction with treatment, parent's perception of child's progress, and teacher's perception of child's progress).

The positive illusory bias (PIB) – over-reporting levels of self-competence compared to other raters – has been demonstrated in youth with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), despite increased impairment rates. However, due to inconsistent definitions of the PIB, conflicting findings have emerged regarding prevalence of the PIB in youth with ADHD and whether parent or child report is actually “biased” and driving the PIB. Additionally, stability of the PIB across time is unknown. The present study used person-centered methodology cross-sectionally and longitudinally to evaluate the prevalence of the PIB in adolescents with ADHD. Results revealed a cross-domain global PIB group at baseline (18.4% of sample) but only a small social PIB group was present and stable across time. Parents in the PIB group were better reporters of scholastic competence relative to an objective measure than were youth. These findings suggest that the PIB may be significantly less prevalent in this population than previously thought.

College students with ADHD, but especially those who consume alcohol, may be at jeopardy for experiencing negative educational and occupational outcomes, problematic substance use, criminal offending, and sexual victimization. Alcohol mixed with energy drink (AmED) use is widespread across college campuses and associated with many of these same problematic outcomes. The risk of experiencing these consequences for college students with ADHD may be exacerbated by AmED use given its unique relationship, above and beyond alcohol use, with these variables. This study sought to examine relationships among GPA, lost work performance, hazardous alcohol use, illicit substance use, criminal offending, and sexual victimization in college students with ADHD who use AmED. The sample comprised students (N = 248; 36.3% male, 63.7% female) from the University of Albany’s (UAlbany) and Virginia Commonwealth University’s (VCU) disability support centers, as well as VCU’s SONA psychology subject pool. Hierarchical linear regression analysis and logistic regression analysis were used to test six hypotheses. Results showed that AmED use did not predict GPA, lost work performance, or criminal offending. However, AmED use did predict hazardous alcohol use (p < .001), illicit substance use (p < .05), and sexual victimization (p < .05). These findings provide a baseline rate of AmED use in college students with ADHD, and highlight the importance of further research regarding the potential consequences of AmED use in this population.

Syftet med denna studie är att undersöka hur forskning från olika vetenskapliga fält och länder resonerar kring diagnostiseringen av ADHD hos förskolebarn. Som metod har en systematisk litteraturstudie använts, där de 22 vetenskapliga artiklar som framkommit vid den noggranna systematiska sökningen har granskats och analyserats genom en innehållsanalys. Vidare har the Relational Developmental System theory (RDS) använts som det teoretiska perspektivet för att analysera resultatet ytterligare. Resultatet från studierna visar på att en tidig diagnos med tillhörande behandling kan vara värdefullt för utvecklingen av barnets sociala förmågor och senare akademiska framgångar. Däremot finns det risk för feldiagnostisering och onödig behandling om diagnos ställs i tidig förskoleålder, därför bör noggrann utredning göras och en provisorisk diagnos kan vara att föredra om misstanke finns att symtomen skulle kunna vara åldersrelaterade. Forskningen har även visat att förskollärarnas kunskap om ADHD-relaterad problematik är betydelsefull för bedömningen vid utredning inför diagnostisering, men även att förskollärarnas inställning och utbildning påverkar arbetet med barn som uppvisar ADHD-symtom eller som har diagnosen. Enbart forskning från det senaste decenniet är med i denna studie, detta för ADHD-diagnostisering har ökat kraftigt och forskningen gått snabbt framåt.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a very common disorder that affects 8% to 10% of South African children. It is thus prevalent in the classroom, and with the advent of inclusive education in South Africa, educators have to facilitate and support the needs of learners with ADHD. Educators play an integral role and provide essential information with regards to the identification, diagnosis and referral of ADHD. It is the responsibility of the educator to create an environment where every learner has the opportunity to succeed. However, uncertainty exists as to whether South African educators have an appropriate and adequate understanding of the disorder. This study therefore aimed to examine the knowledge and perceptions of ADHD held by foundation phase educators in a township in Gauteng. A sample of 100 female educators was used in the study and a mixed methods approach using a questionnaire was administered to the educators. Their knowledge and perceptions in the three content areas of ADHD (Associated Features, Symptoms/Diagnosis and Treatment) was explored. Data analysis reflected that the educators in the sample had inadequate and insufficient knowledge and understandings of ADHD. Educators seemed to know the most about the symptoms of the condition, less about the associated features and the least about treatment approaches. The implications of these research findings are discussed, within the South African context.

Syftet med studien var att beskriva arbetsterapeuters kliniska resonemang vid arbetet med vuxna klienter med ADHD. Genom ett ändamålsinriktat urval identifierades åtta arbetsterapeuter inom psykiatrisk öppenvård som hade erfarenhet av att arbeta med vuxna klienter med ADHD. Data samlades in genom narrativa intervjuer och analyserades därefter med stöd av en paradigmatisk narrativ metod. Analys av data resulterade i tre teman som benämndes: Att möta personen där den är och skapa delaktighet i processen; Att möta en mångfacetterad problematik kräver samverkan; Att coacha klienten att etablera effektiva vanor. Arbetsterapeuternas kliniska resonemang ger indikationer på att det vid arbetet med berörd klientgrupp är viktigt att ta samtalets betydelse, klientcentrering och teamarbete i beaktning. Den visar på hur samtalet kan vara en intervention i sig och hur arbetsterapeuterna genom sitt resonemang kan möjliggöra klientcentrering genom att sätta klienten i fokus både i teamet och i det enskilda arbetet med klienten. Studiens resultat anses kunna bidra med kunskap för arbetsterapeuter som arbetat med vuxna klienter med ADHD och resultatet bör även gå att appliceras på andra klientgrupper inom området psykiatri eftersom denna studie tyder på att klienterna ofta har en mångfacetterad problematik som bidrar till utmaningar i dagliga aktiviteter. / The aim of the study was to describe the clinical reasoning of occupational therapists when working with adult clients with ADHD. Through a purposeful selection, eight occupational therapists were identified in psychiatric outpatient care who had experience working with adult clients with ADHD. Data was collected by narrative interviews and then analysed using a paradigmatic narrative method. Analysis of data resulted in three themes called: To meet the client where he or she is and promote participation in the process; To meet a multifaceted problem requires collaboration; To coach the client to establish effective habits. The clinical reasoning of occupational therapists gives indications that when working with the affected client group it is important to take into consideration the importance of the conversation, client centeredness and teamwork. It shows how the conversation can be an intervention in itself and how the occupational therapists can, through their reasoning, enable client centeredness by putting the client in focus both in the team and in the individual work with the client. The study's results can be considered to contribute knowledge for occupational therapists who work with adult clients with ADHD, and the result should also be applicable to other client groups in the field of psychiatry, as this study suggests that the clients often have  multifaceted problems that contributes to challenges in everyday occupations.

O Transtorno de Déficit de Atenção/Hiperatividade (TDAH) é caracterizado por sintomas de desatenção, hiperatividade e impulsividade. Surge na infância e pode persistir ao longo da vida, podendo ocasionar dificuldades pessoal, acadêmica, familiar, social e profissional. Este trabalho objetivou compreender os sentidos e os significados para os pais ou responsáveis por adolescentes com TDAH acerca do transtorno e as respectivas relações que esses adolescentes estabelecem no convívio familiar ou fora deste. Para tanto foi realizado um estudo qualitativo com uso da história oral temática. Participaram do estudo 9 pais dos adolescentes com TDAH atendidos no Ambulatório de Psiquiatria Juvenil de um hospital público universitário do interior do Estado de São Paulo. A entrevista temática foi realizada no domicílio dos participantes. A análise das narrativas permitiu construir quatro unidades temáticas: \"Sentidos e significados acerca do TDAH\"; \" Compreensão dos pais sobre o diagnóstico e tratamento do TDAH\"; \"Conflitos no convívio familiar\"; \"Conflitos no contexto da escola e da comunidade\". Os pais percebem que tanto eles como os profissionais das escolas apresentam dificuldades ao lidar com o adolescente portador do TDAH. Reconhecem que desde a infância seus filhos manifestam comportamentos diferentes de outras crianças. Referiram falta de conhecimento, informação e orientações sobre o universo desse transtorno. Diante dessas dificuldades os pais adotaram práticas educativas negativas. Apresentaram preocupações com a discriminação sofrida pelos adolescentes. As relações sociais e familiares estabelecidas com os adolescentes portadores do TDAH podem ser caracterizadas por constantes conflitos. Os atos de violência identificados foram de natureza física e psicológica. A comunicação entre áreas, setores, profissionais e família demonstra-se prejudicada, problemática que se reflete nas relações sociais estabelecidas com os adolescentes com TDAH. É necessário oferecer suporte e orientações aos pais com a participação conjunta de profissionais da saúde e da educação. As abordagens devem ser constantemente avaliadas no sentido de aperfeiçoá-las e adequá-las, acompanhando as diferentes fases do desenvolvimento dos jovens / Disorder Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is characterized by the symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. It appears in childhood and can persist throughout life leading to personal, academic, family, social and professional difficulties. This study aimed to understand the senses and meanings relating to parents of adolescents with ADHD about the disorder and the relationships these adolescents establish in and out family life. A qualitative study was conducted with the use of thematic oral history. The study included nine parents of adolescents with ADHD in the Outpatient Psychiatric Trainee of a public hospital in the state of São Paulo. The thematic interview was conducted at the participants\' residences. The analysis of the narratives allowed building four thematic units: \"Senses and meanings about ADHD\"; \"Parents ´understanding about the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD\"; \"Conflicts in family environment \"; \"Conflicts in the context of school and community.\" Parents realize that both they and school professionals have difficulties in dealing with adolescents with ADHD. They acknowledged that since their childhood, children manifest different behaviors compared to others. They mentioned lack of knowledge, information and guidance relating the universe of this disorder. Considering these difficulties parents have adopted negative educational practices. They showed concerns about the discrimination faced by the adolescents. Social and family relations established with adolescents with ADHD can be characterized by constant conflict. The acts of violence identified were of physical and psychological nature. The communication between areas, sectors, professionals and family is impaired, which is reflected in problematic social relationships with adolescents with ADHD. It is vital to offer support and guidance to parents with joint participation of health and education professionals. The approaches must be constantly evaluated in order to achieve improvement and adaptation, with close attention to the different stages of the youngsters\' development

Orientador: Jorge Luis Ferreira Abrão / Banca: Audrey Setton Lopes de Souza / Banca: Diana Pancini de Sá Antunes Ribeiro / Banca: Mary Yoko Okamoto / Banca: Viviana Carola Velasco Martinez / Resumo: Segundo o Fórum sobre Medicalização da Educação e da Sociedade, de 2005 a 2010 houve um aumento da compra do metilfenidato pelos órgãos públicos em torno de 1400%. Deste modo, contextualizar e compreender o crescente número de diagnósticos do Transtorno do Déficit de Atenção/Hiperatividade, bem como o aumento da venda de medicamentos para este transtorno, tem sido uma empreitada comum de muitos autores que se dedicam ao tema da infância. O presente trabalho visa compreender os significados e as peculiaridades da sintomatologia do TDAH, elucidando a polissemia imbricada na singularidade de cada caso particular. Os objetivos específicos foram: identificar as experiências singulares de crianças, pais e professores e entender os sentidos comunicados por suas queixas e dificuldades; apontar algumas correlações entre certos traços da nossa cultura e a atual proliferação de diagnósticos do referido transtorno. Para tanto, realizei um trabalho de psicodiagnóstico com crianças que foram encaminhadas para atendimento psicológico em uma cidade do interior paulista. Foram atendidos três casos de crianças diagnosticadas com TDAH, todas medicadas com metilfenidato e/ou outros medicamentos, as quais foram acompanhadas por médicos neuropediatras e psicólogos. Deste modo, optei por trabalhar com o método psicanalítico. Este se enquadra em um modelo de pesquisa qualitativa, visto que neste enquadre o conhecimento tem um caráter interpretativo, na medida em que é construído em um processo de atribuição de sentidos. Assim, partindo da bibliografia estudada, dos casos atendidos e do olhar psicanalítico, pude constatar que na contemporaneidade, tornou-se cada vez mais raro abster-se das tecnologias medicamentosas/biológicas para educar crianças e adolescentes. Foi frequente a... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: According to the Forum of Education and Society Medicalization, from 2005 to 2010, there was an increase in the purchase of methylphenidate by public agencies, around 1400%. Thus, contextualizing and understanding the growing number of diagnoses of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, as well as the increasing of sales of drugs for this disorder, it has been an ordinary venture of many authors who dedicate themselves to the theme of childhood. This study aims to understand the meanings and the peculiarities of the symptoms of ADHD, explaining the different meanings embedded in the uniqueness of each individual case. The specific objectives were: identifying the unique experiences of children, parentes, and teachers as well as understanding the meanings communicated by their complaints and difficulties; demonstrating some correlations between certain traits of our culture and the current proliferation of the diagnoses of the said disorder. Therefore, I performed a work of psychodiagnostic with children who were referred for psychological care in an inland city of São Paulo state. Three cases of children diagnosed with ADHD were seen, all of them medicated with methylphenidate and / or other drugs, which were accompanied by neuropediatricians and psychologists. Thus, I chose to work with the psychoanalytic method. This fits itself into a model of qualitative research, since knowledge has an interpretive character frame, as it is built on a process of assigning senses. Thus, based on the literature studied, the cases treated, and psychoanalytical study, I found out that, nowadays, it has become increasingly rare to abstain from drug/biologic technologies to educate children and teenagers. It was common the observation of lack of discrimination between parents‟ and children‟s places. The family dynamics... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Doutor