Challenges and coping mechanisms of parents of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: a qualitative study

Abstract

Abstract Background Attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that has manifestations of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. It affects every facet of a child’s life, including one’s own emotions, family and school life, and social interaction. The few available studies on ADHD conducted in Ethiopia focus on teachers’ awareness and the prevalence of ADHD. None of these studies has taken into account parents of children who have ADHD. The present study, therefore, aimed to find out the challenges and coping mechanisms of parents who have children with ADHD. Methods A phenomenological qualitative study was conducted to explore the experiences of parents who have children with ADHD. The study was carried out in Addis Ababa, the capital city of Ethiopia. Fourteen parents and two healthcare providers were involved in the study. Participants were selected using a purposive sampling technique. In-depth interviews were conducted with parents of children with ADHD (n = 8) and healthcare providers (n = 2). Focus group discussion (FGD) was also conducted with parents (n = 6). A topic guide for conducting the interviews and FGD was developed. Interviews and the FGD were audio-recorded. The data were transcribed verbatim, translated into English, and then analyzed using a thematic analysis approach. Results With regard to challenges of parents of children with ADHD, three themes emerged: social challenges, economic challenges and psychological challenges. Stigma is found to be the most common challenge. Other challenges included worry about the child's future, lack of social support, strained relationships with others, impact on their job, and marital conflict. Concerning coping mechanisms, two themes emerged: Inward and outward means of coping. The inward means of coping included prayer and developing an optimistic mindset whereas the outward means were family support, healthcare providers’ guidance, and social avoidance. Conclusions The study found that parents of children with ADHD experience several aspects of psychological, social, and economic challenges. Support from healthcare professionals, family members, and the community at large is found to be useful for parents to cope with these challenges. Future research should focus on evaluating interventions that would help parents with ADHD cope with the challenges they experience.