Thesis (M.A. (Psychology)) -- University of Limpopo, 2016. / Background: ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder affecting 3 – 7% of school age
children. The core symptoms of ADHD, hyperactivity, impulsiveness and inattentiveness
often cause problems in many aspects of life, including interpersonal relationships. The
problems associated with the disorder may also lead to poor self-esteem.
Objective: To assess the impact of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
symptoms on interpersonal skills and self-esteem in a non-referred sample of primary
school children meeting criteria for a diagnosis of ADHD.
Method: Eighty-two children with ADHD (6 – 13 years) were selected using a convenient
sample screened from primary schools in the Limpopo Province and were compared to 82
children without significant ADHD symptoms, who match the ADHD children on age and
gender. The children were screened and diagnosed using the Disruptive Behaviour Disorders
rating scale (DBD). They were assessed on two instruments: The PHSF (Personal, Home, Self
and Formal) relations questionnaire was used for the measurement of interpersonal
relationship while self-esteem was measured using the self-concept inventory of the Beck
Self-Concept Inventory for youths [BSCI-Y]. The scores obtained on the two scales were
compared for significant differences between the ADHD group and the non-ADHD
comparisons as a possible function of gender.
Results: Children with ADHD scored significantly higher (p < 0.001) on the scale that
measured problems with interpersonal relationships (PHSF) than the non-ADHD
comparison group. There was no effect of gender. The measurement instrument for self
esteem (BSCI-Y) indicated that the children with ADHD had higher self-esteem than their
non-ADHD comparisons (p < 0.001). Gender did not affect the difference between the
groups. Conclusion: The findings indicated that children, who are inattentive, impulsive and over
active, which are symptoms of ADHD, will have poorer interpersonal relationships than
children without the disorder. Findings from the result of the measurement of self-esteem
indicated that children with ADHD could have higher self-esteem than children without
ADHD. The latter is in contrast with findings of most studies and may be ascribed to an
unrealistic self-concept because of the young age of the participants or possible cultural
factors.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:ul/oai:ulspace.ul.ac.za:10386/1634 |
| Date | January 2016 |
| Creators | Oshodin, Uwafiokun Aituayuwa |
| Contributors | Meyer, J. A. |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | x, 134 leaves |
| Relation | Adobe Acrobat Reader |
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