Child behavior, maternal mental healthCommunity Perspectives of Childhood Behavioral Problems and ADHD Among African American Parents
Section snippets
Design
This is a qualitative study that uses focus group methods as a first step for studying community perceptions regarding the complex and potentially sensitive issue of behavior problems in children and ADHD. Focus groups are a powerful means to understand participant attitudes, feelings, beliefs, and experiences in a group context. They are particularly useful when there is a power differential between participants and decision-makers or language, cultural, religious, or educational differences
Results
Descriptive characteristics of the 31 participants are presented in the Table. Their average age was 35 (SD = 9.8) years. On average, participants each had 2 children whose mean age was 9 (SD = 7.8) years. Only 3 participants had a child with a history of ADHD diagnosis.
Five main domains relating to behavioral problems in children emerged from the narratives: (1) causes of behavioral problems; (2) ADHD as a diagnosis; (3) attitudes about doctors; (4) opinions of medication; and (5) perceptions
Discussion
This study explored views of AA parents about childhood behavioral problems and ADHD. Although participants had a broad range of experiences, similarities emerged across all focus groups. When viewed against the backdrop of disparities in today’s society, what is gained is a rich description of how a sample of AA parents perceives behavioral problems and what they believe constitutes appropriate management within the context of their community. Understanding perspectives of minority parents is
Acknowledgments
The authors do not have any affiliation, financial agreement, or other conflict of interest. This work was funded in part by an Ambulatory Pediatrics Association Region IV Regional Research Project Grant (primary investigator, Dr Olaniyan) and the National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities P20 MD 00165. This project was led by Omolara Olaniyan, MD, MPH, who died in December 2004. We greatly miss her leadership and dedication to children and families.
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