The Influence of Positive Parenting Training on Improving Behavioral Function and Impulsivity in Children Suffering From Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Children with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) have deficiencies in their executive functions and also impulsivity that can result in various social harms and criminal behaviors.

The research had a two-group semi-experimental design (case/control) with a pre-/ post-test. The statistical population consisted of all students’ mothers aged between 7 and 12 years old suffering from ADHD. The studied samples included 30 parents matched based on age and randomly divided into the case and control groups with 15 people in each group and were examined from 2nd February to March 2020. Positive parenting training was performed for the case group in eight sessions of 90 minutes by observing all protocols. Both groups experienced pre- and post-test. We applied the BRIEF (parent form) and Canners (parent form) questionnaires to collect data. Data were analyzed by MANCOVA using SPSS v. 26 software at a significance level of 0.05.

The studied samples were in the age range of 22-40 years (Mean±SD: case group: 32.93±6.04 years and control group: 34.13±5.47 years), 56% with education lower than diploma (0.60% and 46.7% for the case and control groups, respectively), and 44% had an official business (0.40% and 46.7%, respectively). Results showed significant differences in the variables of executive functions (inhibition, attention transfer, emotional control, initiation, working memory, planning, material organization, and control) and reducing impulsivity (cognitive problems-neglect, hyperactivity, opposition, and ADHD index) in the control and case groups (P<0.001).

Positive parenting training significantly affects improving executive functions and impulsivity in children aged between 7 and 12 years old suffering from ADHD. Accordingly, it is achievable to help modify their social behaviors and also decrease the amount of conflict and legal problems among these children by providing a codified positive parenting training program in their educational programs.