Evaluating the quality of life of 8-12 year-old children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) referred to Kargarnejad Hospital in Kashan during COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Background and Aim: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder among children, adversely affecting various aspects such as learning abilities, interpersonal relationships, self-esteem, and emotions. Given the detrimental impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children's mental health, this study aimed to assess the quality of life of 8 - 12 year-old children with ADHD during the pandemic. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 54 children with ADHD referred to Kargarnejad Hospital in Kashan, Iran, in 2022. Data collection utilized a demographic questionnaire and the PedsQL quality of life questionnaire. Children were assessed in four functional subscales of quality of life: physical, emotional, social, and academic, along with a total score. Results: The mean age of the children was 9.15±1.43 years. The highest score was observed in physical performance, with a mean of 74.48±15.08, while the lowest score was in academic performance, with a mean of 53.33±15.17. A significant relationship was found between academic performance and gender (P=0.04). Conclusion: Both ADHD and COVID-19 contribute to a decline in children's quality of life, particularly impacting academic performance, which may lead to negative psychological consequences in their future years. Further research is recommended to explore treatment options for ADHD and address environmental and familial factors influencing the disorder.

Keywords

• quality of life
• children
• attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (adhd)
• covid-19