[Discipline styles in families with children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: their influence on the course of the disorder].

INTRODUCTION

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is caused by hereditary factors but it can only really be understood using a model that takes into account the interaction between genes and the environment. Discipline styles stand out among the factors offered by the familial environment that can influence the course of ADHD.

AIMS

To compare the discipline styles employed by mothers of children with and without ADHD and to analyse how the subtype of ADHD and the presence of oppositional defiant disorder influence the discipline styles utilised by mothers of children with ADHD.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

We divided 167 mothers into two groups, one consisting of those who had a child with ADHD (n = 114) and a control group (n = 53), and they were asked to answer a semi-structured interview and a questionnaire about discipline styles.

RESULTS

The statistical analyses showed that mothers of children with ADHD used more severe discipline strategies, especially if the ADHD was associated with oppositional defiant disorder.

CONCLUSIONS

Interventions must include family guidance focused on the dimensions of self-control and affective expression.