The Influence Of Positive Parenting Training On Improving Behavioral Function And Impulsivity In Children Suffering From Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder

Background: Children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have deficiencies in their executive functions and also impulsivity that can result in various social harms and criminal behaviors. Methodology: The design was a kind of two-group semi-experimental design (case / control) with pre/posttest. The statistical population consisted of all students' mothers aged between 7 to 12 years old suffering from ADHD. 30 parents included studied samples matched based on age and randomly divided into case and control groups with 15 people and examined them from 2nd February to March 2020. Positive parenting training was performed on the case group in 8 sessions of 90 minutes by observing all protocols. Both groups experienced pre and posttest. We applied BRIEF (parent form) and Canners questionnaire (parent form) questionnaires to collect data. Data were analyzed by MANCOVA analysis and using SPSS V26 software with significance level of 0.05. Results: The studied samples were in the age range of 22-40 years (case group (32.93 ± 6.04 years), control group (34.13 ± 5.47 years)), 56% with education lower than diploma (0.60%, 46.7% case and control groups respectively), and 44% had an official business (0.40% and 46.7% respectively). Results showed significant differences in the variables of executive functions (inhibition, attention transfer, emotional control, initiation, working memory, planning, material organization, and control) and reducing impulsivity (cognitive problems - neglect, hyperactivity, opposition, and ADHD index) in the control and case groups (P <0.001).   Conclusion and suggestion: Positive parenting training significantly affect improving executive functions and impulsivity in children aged between 7 to 12 years old suffering from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Accordingly, it is achievable to help modify their social behaviors and also decrease the amount of conflict and legal problems among these children by providing a codified positive parenting training program in their educational programs.