Guilt, Shame, Feeling of Burden and Child Parent Relationship among Parents of Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Abstract

Background: Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder is the most common behavioral disease in kids. It is a chronic condition that impacts both the kids and their parents. The parents of such children reported increased degrees of guilt, shame and burden. Aim of the study: The presented study aims to assess guilt, shame, feeling of burden and child parent relationship among parents of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Subjects and Method: Design: The study design used was a descriptive correlational one. Subjects: A Purposive sample of one hundred parents of ADHD child. Tools: A self-administered questionnaire, guilt and shame experience scale, Zarit burden interview as well as child-parent relationship scale-short form were utilized. Results: It was found that, 45% are in the age group "30- <40" years, approximately 66% of the studied parents experienced moderate levels of guilt and shame, while 70% of them have a moderate to severe burden level. More than three-quarters of the studied parents has child-parent conflict. Also, about two thirds of them have a poor child-parent relationship. Conclusion: A significant positive correlation was found between shame and guilt experiences and burden felt by the caregiver. Both of shame and guilt experience and burden felt by the caregiver was positively correlated to child parent conflict. Recommendations: Parent-oriented psycho-education program is needed for the management of ADHD-associated feelings of shame, guilt, burden, conflict and poor child-parent relationships.