The Relative Contribution of Maternal ADHD Symptoms and Oppositional Defiant Behaviors to Parenting

This paper investigated the impact of maternal attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms (i.e., inattention, hyperactivity), comorbid oppositional defiant (OD) behaviors, and depressive symptoms on several dimensions of parenting. 107 mothers at-risk for ADHD completed self-report questionnaires assessing their current ADHD, OD behaviors, and depressive symptoms and parenting behaviors. Hierarchical regression analyses were conducted with established predictors of parenting on step 1 (maternal depression and ADHD; child aggressive behavior) and maternal OD behaviors on step 2. Analyses revealed that OD behaviors and ADHD symptoms predicted several domains of parenting. OD behaviors accounted for significant variance in parenting even after controlling for maternal depression and relevant child factors. Our findings suggest that maternal OD behaviors should be considered in future studies of parental ADHD, indicate OD behaviors may affect functioning for some adults, and have implications for the foci of future interventions for parents with ADHD.