A prealiminary research of developing cognitive behavioral treatment program for adolescents with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

This thesis study is planned as the first step of developing CBT program aimed at strengthening executive function skills and improving quality of life for adolescents with ADHD consists of three studies. In the first study, the validity and reliability of the Brown Attention Deficit Disorder Scale for Adolescents (BADDS-Adolescents) and Perceived Quality of Life Scale in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder for Adolescents (PQoLS-ADHD-Adolescents) were examined. On the sample consisted of adolescents with ADHD (n=54) and normal (n=200) aged between 14-18 years, BADDS-Adolescents' the Cronbach's alpha coefficient and test-retest correlation were found .92 and .94 respectively. It was also found that BADDS-Adolescents comprised of one factor. On the same sample, PQoLS-ADHD-Adolescents' Cronbach's alpha coefficient and test-retest correlation were found .89 and .93 respectively and it was found that PQoLS-ADHD-Adolescents comprised of one factor. In the second study, similar programs in the literature were examined and "Yönetmen Benim-Adolescent" CBT group program was prepared. In the third study, the CBT program was applied to a group of 12 adolescents with ADHD, aged 15-17 years, and the effectiveness of program on ADHD symptoms, executive functions, quality of life and hopelessness were examined. After the CBT group program, participants' mean scores of BADDSAdolescents, BADDS-Adolescents organizing and activating to work and sustaining attention and concentration subscales were found to be significantly lower. The mean scores of PQoLS-ADHD-Adolescents were significantly increased after group program. In addition, a significant decrease in hopelessness levels assessed by Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS) and a significant decrease in ADHD symptoms reported by both adolescents and parents was found.