Preschool children with symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: parental attitudes, impairments in behavioral, social, school and family functioning

The statement of the problem: The aim of this study is to determine the social and behavioral problems of children 4 to 6 years of age with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and examine their family functions and parents' attitudes toward them. Contribution of this study to literature is to emphasize the importance of evaluation of childrens ADHD symptom levels in preschool years to prevent or minimize the problems that they may experience in primary school. Method: In this research the participants are parents (N=92) and teachers (N=14) of students attending kindergartens between the years of 2016-2017 in Kadıköy province of Istanbul. The information intended to investigate was obtained by Sociodemographic Form, The ADHD Rating Scale-DSM-V, Conners Parent Rating Scale (CPRS), Family Assessment Device and Parenting Scale. Results: Analysis of the CPRS revealed that children with ADHD were more likely to experience social problems, anxiety, oppositional behaviors, emotional instability, perfectionism, and psychosomatic symptoms than did children without ADHD. According to current results of Family Assessment Device children with ADHD have shown dysfunction in communication, affective responsiveness, behavioral control, and general functions areas. Parents of children with ADHD were found to have laxness and overreactivity attitudes toward their children more than parents of children without ADHD. Conclusion: Preschool-age children with ADHD are also at significant risk for psychopathologies other than ADHD and they have disordered family functioning and parental attidudes. Prospective studies are needed to evaluate the evoluation of behavioaral and family functioning difficulties and prognostic properties of ADHD. Key Words: attention deficit disorder, preschool period, childhood, family functioning, parenting styles