The relationship between demographic and psychological characteristics and depressive behavior in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

COVID-19 is a major threat to the physical and psychological health. Using a mobile for children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) for classroom activities in the COVID-19 outbreak and the attractiveness of using it may make them more likely to experience sedentary behaviors (SB). SB are a distinct class of activities in which very low energy is consumed and is performed sitting or lying down. SB are associated with general ADHD symptoms. Also, an increase in parents' SB has led to an increase in SB in children. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between demographic and psychological characteristics and sedentary behavior in children with ADHD in the outbreak of Corona. Investigating the prevalence of SB in children with ADHD during the COVID-19 outbreak and the role of demographic variables, maternal SB and CDA in mothers is very important in terms of psychological programs in reducing the psychological effects of Covid-19.

The research method was descriptive-correlation. Among mothers of ADHD children, 136 mothers participated in the study by convenience sampling method. A Demographic Characteristics Questionnaire, Child Weekly Screen Time Scale (Sanders et al, 2016; Gingold et al, 2014; cited in Ariapooran, Hajimoradi, & Mousavi, 2020), and CDA (Alipour et al, 2020) Scales were used to collect the data. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation and stepwise regression.

According to results, the mean of SB in ADHD children in the Covid-19 outbreak was 30.84 hours and the highest mean was related to watching TV and playing games with handheld devices. Girls were less involved than boys in SB (p <0.05). Mother-child interaction and mothers' daily exercise positively and watching TV, searching social networks, and mothers CDA negatively correlated with SB in ADHD children (p <0.05). The results of stepwise regression confirmed the role of CDA, Mothers SB, mother-child interaction in predicting the SB in ADHD children (p <0.05).

The results showed a high mean hour of SB in children with ADHD during the COVID-19 outbreak; it is recommended that parents be educated about the negative consequences of SB. In addition, according to negative relationship between parents' interaction with children and exercise and physical activity in parents with a decrease in SB of ADHD children's, strengthening sports activities, especially home sports activities in COVID-19 conditions should be suggested, and it is better to provide the necessary education based on parent-child interaction. Due to the positive relationship between parental SB and SB in ADHD children, it is recommended that ways to manage SB for mothers be held as online or face-to-face workshops.