The Ripple Effect: Quality of Life and Mental Health of Parents of Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a prevalent neurodevelopmental condition in children in Saudi Arabia. ADHD significantly impacts children and their families, particularly by increasing parental stress and diminishing quality of life. In Saudi Arabia, there is a research gap regarding the quality of life and coping mechanisms of parents managing children with ADHD. This study assesses levels of depression and anxiety, quality of life, and coping strategies among parents of children diagnosed with ADHD. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional online survey with 151 parents of ADHD-diagnosed children, utilizing the WHOQOL-Brief for life quality, the Brief-COPE for coping strategies, and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ) for depression (PHQ9-9 items) and generalized anxiety (GAD7-7 items) modules. Results: Among the parents surveyed, 36% reported moderate to severe depression, while 39.1% experienced moderate to high anxiety levels. Quality of life was significantly positively correlated with higher household monthly income (HHI), employment status, sibling count, and effective coping strategies. Conversely, a parent’s age, educational level, and, in particular, maternal status were inversely related to anxiety levels, with fathers displaying higher maladaptive coping scores. Conclusion: This study sheds light on the considerable anxiety and depression experienced by parents of children with ADHD, significantly affecting their quality of life. Lower quality of life among parents is associated with high levels of depression, anxiety, and ineffective coping strategies. These insights highlight the critical need for interventions to aid parental mental health, thereby improving their overall quality of life amidst ADHD challenges.

Keywords

• ADHD
• parents
• mental health
• parenting challenges