Cross-cultural study of attitude to attention deficiency syndrome

Abstract

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a disorder of neurodevelopmental type that is frequently diagnosed in childhood. Today between 3% and 6% of Swedish schoolchildren are diagnosed with ADHD. Corresponding statistics about the number of Ukrainian children diagnosed with ADHD are not openly available. The purpose of this cross-cultural study is to investigate if there is a difference in attitudes between Ukraine (Kiev) and Sweden (Stockholm) towards ADHD diagnosed. During this study both primary and secondary research were conducted. The result of secondary research showed that there is a large stigma around ADHD diagnosis, therefore children suffering from ADHD are at high risk to be confronted with prejudice and discrimination. The primary research consisted of an opinion poll, that was answered by 40 parents with children in elementary school (aged 6-16), in each country. The poll consisted of different statements about a fictitious child X, diagnosed with ADHD, that a respondent had to take a stand to. When analyzing and compering the results of both respondent groups (Ukrainian group and Swedish group) it was possible to identify a correlation between missing knowledge and negative attitudes, a correlation proved by several earlier studies that are included in the secondary research. The result from the primary study showed that the attitude towards children with ADHD is more negative in Ukraine. The potential reason behind this result is primary the increased knowledge of the diagnosis in Sweden as well as the positive representation of ADHD in the Swedish media that contributes to a more tolerant and positive stance towards children with ADHD.The study also showed that views on discipline and corporal punishment of children differ between countries.In Ukraine, there are more people who believe that ADHD can be prevented with hard discipline, compared to Sweden.Thus, more negative attitude towards ADHD can be based on the view that the diagnosis is a result of poor upbringing.