Changes in caregiver strain over time in young adolescents with ADHD: the role of oppositional and delinquent behavior.

OBJECTIVE The objectives of this study were to identify the relationships between caregiver strain among parents of young adolescents with ADHD and child characteristics during a 1-year period. METHOD Parents of 52 middle-school-aged youth with ADHD participated in this study and completed two evaluations 1 year apart. RESULTS Ratings of oppositional and delinquent behavior best predicted levels of caregiver strain, and change over time did not significantly add to the equation. Patterns of change in caregiver strain indicated important individual differences. CONCLUSION Oppositional, delinquent behavior was the best predictor of caregiver strain and suggests that preventing and treating these child behavior problems should be a high priority when working with young adolescents with ADHD. Given the variability in parent responses to changes in oppositional and delinquent behavior, it may also be important to address personal coping strategies for parents of youth exhibiting high rates of these behaviors.