Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Preschool Age: Lived Experiences of Mothers

Background and Purpose: Mothers are the most important factors in the prognosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in pre-school children. Detecting mothers’ experiences in daily life increases the potential of improving the effects of interventions on the child and enhancing the parents' level of well being. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to explore Iranian mothers’ experiences in raising preschool children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Method: This research was executed in the qualitative method of phenomenological approach throughout a period of four months in 2016. The statistical population consisted of mothers who had preschool children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder who referred to Ebne-Sina Psychiatric Clinic in Mashhad. Through convenient sampling which continued until saturation, 15 mothers were selected and participated in an unstructured in-depth interview. The interviews were analyzed with Colaizzi’s method. Results: Mothers’ experience was categorized into three main domains. “Inadequacy of knowledge” consisted of mothers’ unfamiliarity with the diagnosis, and the inaccessibility of scientific resources and applied knowledge. The “difficulties of treatment” displayed their experience to manage the disorder focused on the limitations of treatment systems and the challenges of pharmacotherapy. “Interaction problems in social network” signified the tension, conflict, guilt and shame, and loneliness and isolation brought on by child’s disorder. Conclusion: Raising children with ADHD is a difficult experience which requires mothers’ professional support throughout the early years of the disorder’s development. Therefore, all of the findings of the present study are potential treatment goals in increasing mothers’ well-being and they can be used to improve existing interventions and design new ones.