Efficacy of Neuropsychological Skills Training on the Self-Control Skills and Social Competence in the Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Abstract

The purpose of the curre​nt research endeavor was to examine the effectiveness of neuropsychological skills training in enhancing self-control abilities among children diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Experimental methodology (control and experimental groups), three-stage design (pre-test, post-test, and follow-up), and a two-month follow-up period comprised the study. During the academic year 2021-2022, the statistical population of the present study comprised minors with ADHD residing in the city of Tehran. Twenty-six children diagnosed with ADHD were selected using a multi-stage clustered random sampling method. These children were then allocated at random into two groups: the experimental group comprised fourteen children, while the control group comprised twelve. Over the course of one and a half months, the children in the experimental group were instructed in neuropsychological skills for a total of twelve sixty-minute sessions. The present study utilized the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Questionnaire (ADHDQ) (Brock & Clinton, 2007), the Self-Control Questionnaire (SCQ) (Kendal & Wilcox, 1979), and the Social Competence Scale (SCS) (Cohen & Rosman, 1972). The data were subjected to analysis using mixed ANOVA in the SPSS-23 software. Children with ADHD who received neuropsychological skills training demonstrated significant improvements in self-control (p<0001, Eta=0.54, F=28.42) and social competence (p<0001, Eta=0.60, F=37.13). According to the findings of the present study, it is possible to conclude that neuropsychological skills training can be an effective method for enhancing the social competence and self-control abilities of children with ADHD by bolstering executive functions, attention, and concentration, as well as cognitive and mental organization..

Keywords

• attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
• neuropsychological skills
• self-control skill
• social competence