Attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder symptoms of pre-school children and their parents and the effects of these symptoms on children's school behavior

The purpose of this study is to examine the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) symptoms of children aged 3-6 years who are in pre-school education and to determine the relationship between these symptoms and the parents' ADHD symptoms. At the same time, it is aimed to examine the effects of socio-demographic characteristics of children, the symptoms of ADHD in children and their parents, and the social skills and behavioral problems of children in pre-school institutions. The sample of the study consists of 106 children and their parents who gets education in 5 pre-primary education institutions in İstanbul province. ADHD in children was assessed by the Early Childhood Inventory-4: Parent Form (EÇE-4: EF), and hyperactivity was assessed by the Self-Report Scale (ASRS). Social competence levels and negative social behaviors of children in educational institutions were evaluated by School Social Behavior Assessment Scale (SSBA) filled by their teachers. A statistically significant relationship was found between ADHD indications in children and ADHD indications in their mothers. However, no significant relationship was found between ADHD in children and ADHD in their fathers. It has been observed that the ADHD symptoms have been affecting the children's social competence negatively. A positive correlation has been observed between the parents educational status and the children social competences. It is also observed that the ADHD symptoms in children increases the effects of the negative social behavior. A negative correlation has been observed between the children's negative social behavior and their father's age. The results of our study show that there is a relationship between the ADHD indications of preschool children and the ADHD indications in their mother and that the ADHD indications in children affect their social competence levels and negative social behaviors. The results of our study highlight the importance of evaluating pre-school children's ADHD symptoms with ADHD symptoms and behavioral problems of their mothers.