Community Perspectives of Childhood Behavioral Problems and ADHD Among African American Parents

Objective To explore parents’ perceptions of childhood behavior problems and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) among a sample of African American (AA) parents. Methods Five focus groups were conducted in inner-city Baltimore and the Washington, DC, metropolitan region with 5 to 7 AA pa...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Ambulatory pediatrics : the official journal of the Ambulatory Pediatric Association 2007-05, Vol.7 (3), p.226-231
Main Authors: Olaniyan, Omolara, MD, MPH, dosReis, Susan, PhD, Garriett, Victoria, MD, MPH, Mychailyszyn, Matthew P., BA, Anixt, Julia, MD, Rowe, Peter C., MD, Cheng, Tina L., MD, MPH
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
ADHD
Adult
African Americans - psychology
Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity - diagnosis
Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity - etiology
Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity - therapy
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Behavior
Child
Child Behavior Disorders - diagnosis
Child Behavior Disorders - etiology
Child Behavior Disorders - therapy
Children & youth
Female
Focus Groups
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
Humans
Male
parental perceptions
Parents & parenting
Parents - psychology
Pediatrics
racial disparity
Social networks
Socioeconomic Factors
Studies
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Summary:Objective To explore parents’ perceptions of childhood behavior problems and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) among a sample of African American (AA) parents. Methods Five focus groups were conducted in inner-city Baltimore and the Washington, DC, metropolitan region with 5 to 7 AA parents per group. Adults with children under the age of 17 years were recruited from pediatric practices. One investigator moderated each focus group, and a second took notes. Sessions averaged 1.5 hours long, were recorded on audiotape, and were transcribed verbatim. The narrative data were coded for recurring themes. Results Five major themes emerged from the analysis: causes of behavioral problems in children, the legitimacy of ADHD as a diagnosis, attitudes about doctors, opinions of medication, and perceptions of the school environment. Many participants felt that behavior issues, including those accompanying ADHD, were caused by inappropriate parenting and disciplinary practices. Some viewed the diagnosis as a label applied with racial inequality to exert social control over AAs. Several expressed distrust in physicians who were quick to make a diagnosis of ADHD and recommend medications. Others worried that medication would lead to drug addiction in adulthood. Some perceived that children were labeled with ADHD because of poor educational environments that were unresponsive to the needs of AA children. Conclusions These focus groups identified important community perceptions about ADHD and its medical treatment. Understanding how these perceptions contribute to racial disparities in ADHD diagnosis and treatment can help inform culturally sensitive interventions to improve the management of ADHD among AA children.
ISSN:1530-1567
1876-2859
1539-4409
1876-2867
DOI:10.1016/j.ambp.2007.02.002