The Effectiveness of Social Competence Intervention Program on Symptoms of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) among Male Elementary School Students

The present research studies the effectiveness of social competence intervention program on symptoms of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) among male elementary school students in Sanandaj. This research is an experimental study, including pretest-posttest-follow up and control group. The research instrument used in this study was Conners Parent Rating of Childhood Behavior Problems. 36 male students, who were suffering from attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), were selected by simple random sampling method from elementary schools in Sanandaj, and were assigned to two groups: social competence and control (18 students each). Before starting the treatment, a pretest was given to both groups. Then, the experimental group was exposed to social competence intervention program. At the end of the treatment, a post-test and 1 month later a follow-up test was administered to two groups. The results showed that intervention social competence has meaningfully decreased (p<0.001) the symptoms of attention deficit/ hyperactivity disorder in the posttest and follow-up test. Also, social competence intervention program has meaningfully decreased the attention deficit and hyperactivity subscales (p<0.001). Social competence intervention program is significantly effective in decreasing sympotoms of attention deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and applying these methods is recommended to counselors and psychologists.