Parenting of children with ADHD in South Korea: the role of socio‐emotional development of children with ADHD

Aims and objectives. The aim was to investigate the factors affecting the self‐esteem and social competence of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Background. Many studies have reported parenting variables such as parenting attitude and sense of competence have been suggested as significant determinants of socio‐emotional development of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. In South Korean society, the traditional culture of Confucianism is a strong influence on parenting practices and children’s behaviour. However, there have been few studies that examined the relative significance of the parenting and other associated factors for self‐esteem and social competence in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in Korea living in a strict parenting environment. Design. This study was designed as a cross‐sectional and descriptive survey. Method. The subjects were 124 pairs of mothers and their children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, recruited from local paediatric psychiatric clinics in South Korea. Data collection was conducted through the use of questionnaires. Results. Affectionate parenting attitude and co‐morbid condition of the child were the most important predictors of self‐esteem. Rejecting parenting attitude was the most important predictor of social competence. Conclusion. Higher levels of affectionate parenting attitude of mothers and non‐co‐morbid status of children both contributed unique variance to the overall prediction of higher self‐esteem of children. Higher levels of rejecting parenting attitude of mothers contributed unique variance to the overall prediction of lower social competence in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Relevance to clinical practice. Parenting attitude is the most important factor to contribute to the healthy socio‐emotional development in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Health care providers need to develop and apply a parenting skills improvement program to improve positive parenting attitudes, which will benefit self‐esteem and social competence in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.