MPM / Oliver Tambo Institute of Governance and Policy Studies

PhD (Psychology) / Department of Psychology. / Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is the most common diagnosed neurocognitive behavioural developmental disorder among school going–age children. ADHD in most instances is found to comorbid with internalising disorders such as anxiety and depression, therefore causing impairment on behaviour, emotions, academic, social and many areas of functioning. The existence of comorbid internalising disorders complicates the presentation of ADHD symptoms than if it was pure ADHD. The aim of the study was to explore the comorbidity of internalising disorders and ADHD symptoms. The study investigated whether children with ADHD have more symptoms of anxiety and depression than children without ADHD. The study went further to investigate whether children with ADHD have low self-esteem than children without ADHD. Also, that internalising comorbidities (anxiety and depression) are more prevalent in girls than in boys who have more externalising comorbidities which are Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) and Conduct Disorder (CD) and anger issues. The null hypotheses further showed that, children with ADHD do not have more symptoms of anxiety and depression than children without ADHD. Moreover, children with ADHD have no lower self-esteem than children without ADHD. Also, internalising disorders (anxiety and depression) are not prevalent in girls than in boys who do not exhibit more externalising disorders which are Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), Conduct Disorder (CD) and anger issues. The study was conducted in Lepelle-Nkumpi Municipality in Lebowakgomo sub circuit. A total of 250 children (94 boys and 156 girls, aged 6 – 12) who were purposively selected participated in the study. A total of 125 clinically diagnosed ADHD were matched to 125 control group for age and gender. Participants were assessed on a battery consisting of Parent/Teacher Disruptive Behavioural Rating Scale (DBD), which was used to assess the presence and degree of ADHD- related symptoms (inattention and hyperactive/ impulsive); Oppositional Defiant Disorder and Conduct Disorder and Beck Youth Inventory Second Edition (BYI II), which was used to assess emotional and psychological issues that children experience. ADHD scores obtained on the DBD scale were correlated with scores obtained on BYI II scale. The study only focused on learners from primary schools in Lepelle-Nkumpi in Lebowakgomo sub circuit. In this research study, children who were reported to have a history of neurological problems such as head injurie, epilepsy, cerebral palsy or severe psychiatric disorders were excluded from the study. The results were analysed using the analysis of variance (ANOVA) and post hoc benferoni analysis to determine the significant difference within ADHD subtypes. Results of the study showed that children with ADHD had comorbid internalising disorders (anxiety and depression) when compared to their neurotypical group. Both boys and girls with a clinical diagnosis of ADHD showed symptoms of anxiety and depression. More symptoms of anxiety and depression were observed within the ADHD-HI, ADHD-PI and ADHD-C subtypes. Comorbid internalising disorders (anxiety and depression) were also associated with impairments with ADHD symptom, in particular inattention. Children with ADHD also showed more symptoms of low self-esteem when compared to their neurotypical group. Both boys and girls showed significant difference level of low self-esteem in all ADHD subtypes (ADHD-HI, ADHD-PI and ADHD-PI). The results further revealed that both boys and girls equally showed symptoms of comorbid internalising disorders (anxiety and depression), whereas girls showed significantly more symptoms of externalising comorbidities such as ODD, CD and anger issues. In conclusion, the findings suggest that the comorbidity of internalising disorders in a clinically diagnosed child with ADHD worsens or complicates the child’s expected normal functioning unlike when the child was presenting with only ADHD. The results further suggest that a child with clinical diagnosis has double impairment as a result of many impairments which are occurring at the same time. Moreover, the existence of externalising comorbidities which are salient in girls with ADHD may require proper screening and assessment. / NRF

The purpose of the present study was to examine whether differences exist between reports of parental stress in Mexican American and Caucasian mothers of children with ADHD. A second purpose was to examine whether there were child and family characteristics that made unique contributions to levels of parenting stress in Mexican American parents of children with ADHD. A third purpose was to examine the role that level of acculturation plays in the Mexican American mothers' reports of stress. Dependent measures used in this study include the Parenting Stress Index (PSI) and the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL).

The literature demonstrates that children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) often experience peer rejection as a result of their difficulties with interpersonal interactions. The manner in which children with ADHD process social information and the extent to which social difficulties may adversely impact these children has remained unclear. In the first part of the study, the perceptions of social support between boys (ages 7 to 11 years) with and without ADHD were compared. An analysis of variance procedure (ANOVA) was performed and children with ADHD were found to perceive significantly lower levels of social support from their classmates than normal peers at pretreatment. The groups did not differ significantly with regard to perceptions of parent, teacher, and close friend support. In the second part of the study, the role of ADHD parent training and its effectiveness in decreasing problem-behaviors, ameliorating social problems, and enhancing perceptions of social support was examined. Repeated measures MANOVAs revealed a significant rater (mother and teacher) by time (pretreatment and posttreatment) interaction effect for total behavior problems, externalizing behavior problems, internalizing behavior problems, and social problems. On each scale, mothers reported more behavior problems than teachers at pretreatment, but fewer problems than teachers at posttreatment assessment. Main effects were not detected. ANOVAs performed on social support ratings by children with ADHD demonstrated a significant increase in their perceptions of parental support between pretreatment and posttreatment. Children's ratings of teacher, close friend, and classmate support did not differ significantly between pretreatment and posttreatment. The findings suggest that children with ADHD are socially perspicacious and sensitive to subtle changes within their social support systems. The parent training program appeared to help with the amelioration of problem behaviors in the home, but results did not indicate generalization of improvements to the classroom. Implications of the findings were discussed and suggestions were made for providing assistance to children with ADHD.

Text in Afrikaans / In this study quantitative research is employed to determine if cognitive control therapy can successfully be utilized in a group situation to alleviate cognitive deficiency in learners with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Learners with ADHD often do not gain from traditional play- and psychotherapy due to the fact that they do not possess the required cognitive structure necessary to support successful learning. Many of these learners do not receive sufficient assistance and support due to a shortage of government supported educational psychological aid. An empirical investigation of limited scope was performed to establish whether cognitive deficiencies can be alleviated by means of applying cognitive control therapy in a group situation. A one-group pretest-posttest design was utilized where the same group of subjects was studies before and after the experimental treatment. The results indicate that the cognitive control therapy program resulted in a considerable change. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Voorligting)

Many learners find the study of introductory computer programming difficult. This is also true of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and we need an improved understanding of how they learn programming. After reviewing the constructivist approach to teaching and learning and investigating ADHD, this study explored strategies for constructive learning of introductory programming. The aim was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Karplus learning cycle to teach introductory programming. This was done through qualitative research from an interpretive perspective. Action research techniques were employed and data analysed using grounded theory methods. Four major constructivist teaching categories emerged, all of which support the use of the Karplus cycle. It is concluded that the three-phase Karplus cycle can be used to assist these learners learn introductory programming. However, it needs to be understood more broadly and the middle phase broken into two subphases to ensure effective learning. / Mathematical Sciences / M. Sc. (Mathematical Sciences)

Text in Afrikaans / Hierdie studie ondersoek die moontlikheid dat aandagtekort versteuring met hiperaktiwiteit(ATHV/H) verband hou met probleme met voortgesette aandag, terwyl aandagtekort versteuring sander hiperaktiwiteit(ATHV/SO) verband hou met probleme met gefokusde aandag. Neurosielkundige toetse waarmee voortgesette- en gefokusde aandag gemeet word, word gebruik om drie groepe, naamlik ATHV/H(n=24), ATHV/SO(n=l5) en 'n kontrole groep(n=21), met mekaar te vergelyk. Resul tate dui daarop dat die groep ATHV/SO beduidend swakker presteer as die ander twee groepe op sommige van die toetse van gefokusde aandag, en ook neig om swakker te presteer op die toets van voortgesette aandag. Die groep ATHV/SO se probleme blyk gekoppel te wees aan 'n stadiger spoed van kognitiewe prosessering en 'n toestand van hipoopwekking. Die groep ATHV/H presteer nie beduidend swakker as die ander twee groepe op die toets van voortgesette aandag nie, maar presteer wel swakker as die kontrole groep op die Stroop Colour-Word Test waar inhibisie van ontoepaslike response vereis word. Die groep ATHV /H se probleme blyk verband te hou met frontale disfunksie wat manifesteer as 'n neighing tot impulsiwiteit en gebrekkige gedragsregulering. / This study examined the possibility that attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity(ADHD/H) is related to problems with sustained attention, while attention deficit disorder without hyperactivity (ADHD/WO) is related to problems with focussed attention. The performance of three groups: ADHD/H (n=24), ADHD/WO(n=15) and a control group(n=21) were compared. Results indicated that the ADHD/WO group performed significantly poorer than the other two groups on some of the tests of focussed attention and also tended to perform poorer on the test assessing sustained attention. This groups' symtoms appear to be related to a slowed speed of processing and a state of hypo-arousal. The ADHD/H group did not perform poorer than the other two groups on the test assessing sustained attention. The ADHD/H groups' symptoms appear to be related to frontal dysfunction resulting in impulsivity and poor behavioural control. / Psychology / M.A. (Sielkunde)

Thesis (M.Tech.: Homoeopathy)-Dept. of Homoeopathy, Durban Institute of Technology, 2006 xxv, 261 leaves / The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of a Nutritional Supplement (Advanced Brain Food®) and a homoeopathic complex (Quietude®) in the management of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). ADHD is primarily a childhood disorder affecting ten to twenty percent of school going children. The three main presenting features of ADHD are inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. This triad often results in numerous adjustment difficulties for the child in the social and academic sectors (NIH Consensus Statement, 1998).

Thesis (MEdPsych (Educational Psychology)--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD) is one of the most well-known behaviour disorders in South Africa. Limited studies regarding adolescents’ experience of their own AD/HD are available despite the extensive research on AD/HD. The purpose of this exploratory and descriptive qualitative study was to understand 7 adolescents' experience of their own AD/HD in a special school in order to identify supportive strategies. This study was approached from an interpretive and/or constructivist research paradigm. A collective case study research design was used. Data was collected by means of observation, personal documents as well as semi-structured interviews. The data was transcribed and analised according to the constant comparative method. According to the results it seems as if the adolescents’ experiences of their own AD/HD are unique. However, these unique experiences are influenced by their barriers to learning, the process of diagnosis, development, AD/HD medication and social context. The adolescents seek that others empower them to regulate their own AD/HD by: (1) trying to understand how it feels to live with AD/HD; (2) providing information regarding AD/HD; and (3) focusing on their talents and strengths. The practical implications of the results are individualized intervention, changing roles of educators and support professionals, whole school development, changing attitudes, as well as professional development. Further qualitative research is recommended to investigate adolescents’ experiences of their own ADHD.

Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is frequently associated with negative occupational, social and psychological outcomes among community samples of adults; as such, it is expected that college students with ADHD face similar struggles. The research targeting this group of individuals, however, is sparse and tempered by significant limitations. The current study aimed to address methodological limitations in the current literature by including instruments to formally diagnosis ADHD and comorbid disorders, utilizing psychometrically sound instruments and comparing functioning of college students with ADHD across gender and subtype. It was hypothesized that participants with ADHD would report lower GPAs, higher levels of emotional distress and negative relationship characteristics than participants without ADHD. It was also hypothesized that participants with ADHD-combined type (ADHD-C) would report higher levels of substance and alcohol use than participants with ADHD-predominately inattentive type (ADHD-I), and that participants with ADHD-I would report higher levels of anxiety and depression than participants with ADHD-C. Women diagnosed with ADHD were expected to report higher levels of anxiety and depression than men diagnosed with ADHD; whereas, men diagnosed with ADHD were expected to report higher levels of substance and alcohol use than women. MANOVA, ANOVA and Mann-Whitney U tests were conducted to test hypotheses. Results revealed no significant differences between the ADHD and comparison group on GPA and relationship characteristics. Participants diagnosed with ADHD did report significantly higher emotional distress than participants in the comparison group. No differences in GPA or relationship characteristics were found across ADHD subtype or gender. Overall, these findings provide evidence to suggest that college students with ADHD are functioning relatively well compared to their non-ADHD peers.