Influência dos estilos parentais e das características psiquiátricas das mães na participação em tarefas domésticas de crianças com TDAH

Participation in household chores is important to the learning of skills that prepare children with and without disabilities for independent living. Characteristics of parents may influence the functioning of children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in daily life. We investigated if parenting style and maternal symptoms of depression and ADHD could predict changes in the performance of children with ADHD in household tasks and in the assistance provided by caregivers. Fifty-one children with ADHD aged 6 to 14 years were evaluated at two time-points (at baseline and after at least 8 months of continuous pharmacological treatment), using Children Helping Out: Responsibilities, and Support (CHORES). Predictive factors included measures of parenting styles and maternal symptoms of ADHD and depression. Results showed an improvement in the performance of children in household tasks and in the amount of assistance provided by caregivers. Maternal symptoms of ADHD were predictive of children’s assistance in family care tasks. In conclusion, for children with ADHD, maternal symptoms ofADHD have an impact on functi onal outcomes and this reinforces the importance of evaluati ng family features to improve success in any interventi on.