Mental Health and Psychosocial Status in Mothers of Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): Differences by Maternal ADHD Tendencies : Mental Health and Psychosocial Status in Mothers of ADHD Children.

This study clarified differences in mental health, psychosocial status, and mental health-related factors among mothers of ADHD children between those with and without maternal ADHD tendencies from data of 149 mothers of children with ADHD through an online survey. Mothers with ADHD tendencies had poorer mental health, lower education, more ADHD children, and more parenting stressor of "inadequate understanding of the child's disorder from others" than mothers without ADHD tendencies. Their mental health was poorer especially in younger and in those who had more parenting stressors of "difficulties in understanding the child and coping with the child's needs" and "inadequate understanding of the child's disorder from others." Mental health in mothers without ADHD tendencies was related to a variety of parenting stressors and severe ADHD symptoms in the child. Therefore, assessing maternal ADHD tendencies may be necessary to consider effective individualized support measures for mothers of ADHD children.

Gastrointestinal symptoms and sensory abnormalities associated with behavioral problems in children with neurodevelopmental disorders.

Behavioral problems directly affect the quality of life of caregivers and children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and/or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and is known to be associated with clinical factors such as gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, sensory abnormalities, intellectual abilities, and use of medication. However, previous studies have not considered these relationships comprehensively. We conducted a cross-sectional study of 6-12-year-old children with diagnoses of ASD and/or ADHD at two hospitals in Japan. Scores for the aberrant behavior checklist (ABC), autism-spectrum quotient (AQ), and Conners 3, as well as information on daily sleep and exercise, GI symptoms, and Short Sensory Profile, were collected. Each factor was subjected to a correlation analysis to investigate its effect on ABC scores. A stepwise multiple linear regression analysis for the factors with p < 0.05 was performed. Data were obtained from 60 patients with a mean age of 8.3 years; 21 had ASD alone, 18 had ADHD alone, and 21 had ASD + ADHD. The correlation analyses identified six factors associated with ABC severity: (a) methylphenidate use, (b) Conners hyperactivity score, (c) Conners inattention score, (d) AQ score, (e) SSP score, and (f) GI symptom score. The multiple regression showed that "GI symptoms" and "sensory abnormalities" were independently associated with ABC severity. Although further studies are needed to show a causal relationship, appropriate assessment of GI symptoms and sensory abnormalities may help alleviate some problematic behaviors and improve the quality of life of children with neurodevelopmental disorders and their families. LAY SUMMARY: Behavioral problems in children with neurodevelopmental disorders are known to be associated with many factors. This study aimed to comprehensively investigate the known factors. We have discovered that "gastrointestinal symptoms" and "sensory abnormalities" were independently associated with Behavioral problems. Our results suggest that it is important for clinicians and caregivers to pay more attention to children's GI symptoms and sensory abnormalities that may not present as obvious symptoms or complaints.