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The Influence of Child Gender on the Prospective Relationships between Parenting and Child ADHD

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Abstract

The aims of the current study were to (i) explore the potential bidirectional, prospective relationships between parenting and child ADHD, and (ii) explore whether these relationships differed on the basis of child gender. Data were obtained from waves 1 (children aged 4- to 5-years) to 5 (children aged 12- to 13-years) of the Longitudinal Study of Australian Child (LSAC) dataset (child cohort). In order to examine dimensions of both mothers’ and fathers’ parenting, a subsample of nuclear families with mothers, fathers and children present at all waves was extracted (final sample = 1932; sons = 981, daughters = 951). Child ADHD measures included the hyperactive-impulsive subscale of the strengths and difficulties questionnaire for symptoms, and parent-report question for diagnosis. Mothers and fathers completed scales on dimensions of Angry, Warm and Consistent Parenting. A cross-lagged panel model demonstrated (i) higher child ADHD symptoms at wave 1 led to a global increase in less-than-optimal parenting at wave 2, and (ii) child ADHD symptoms and Angry Parenting shared a prospective, bi-directional relationship (whereby increases in one predicted increases in the other over time) during earlier years of development. Latent growth curve models demonstrated that increases in Angry Parenting across time were significantly predicted by increases in child ADHD symptoms. A logistic regression demonstrated that both mothers’ and fathers’ Angry Parenting at wave 1 significantly predicted an ADHD diagnosis in children at wave 3. No predictive relationships differed between child genders; thus, it appears these prospective pathways are similar for both sons and daughters.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Psychology, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia

    David H. Demmer, Mark A. Stokes, Jane A. McGillivray & Merrilyn Hooley

  2. Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, VIC, 3125, Australia

    David H. Demmer, Mark A. Stokes, Jane A. McGillivray & Merrilyn Hooley

  3. Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia

    Francis Puccio

  4. University of Melbourne, Grattan Street, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia

    Francis Puccio

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David H. Demmer declares he has no conflict of interest. Francis Puccio declares he has no conflict of interest. Mark A. Stokes declares he has no conflict of interest. Jane A. McGillivray declares she has no conflict of interest. Merrilyn Hooley declares she has no conflict of interest.

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Demmer, D.H., Puccio, F., Stokes, M.A. et al. The Influence of Child Gender on the Prospective Relationships between Parenting and Child ADHD. J Abnorm Child Psychol 46, 113–125 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10802-017-0284-7

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