Parenting Similarity and Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

This study examined the relation between parenting similarity and comorbid internalizing and disruptive behavior problems among 70 children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). General child rearing similarity and discipline similarity were found to be associated with fewer disruptive behavior problems but not related to internalizing problems. Parenting similarity was also found to be associated with greater marital adjustment and less marital conflict among parents of ADHD children. In contrast to previous studies in non-clinical populations, controlling for parental effectiveness these relations are significant. Parenting similarity, related to fathers’ reports of parenting alliance and discipline similarity, is also found to be associated with lower parenting stress for mothers. Implications for parent training for ADHD children are discussed. [Article copies available for a fee from The Haworth Document Delivery Service: 1-800-342-9678. E-mail address: [email protected] ]