Family skill development for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder behavior problem alleviation model in at-risk preschool children: a
mixed methods study

Family skill development for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder behavior problem alleviation model in at-risk preschool children: a
mixed methods study

ADHD at-risk preschool children, a family skill development model, behavior problems, executive
function, family function, family-child interaction, positive parenting

Introduction: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is the most prevalent childhood mental health problem. This
study examined families caring for children with ADHD and created a model to alleviate behavior problems in at-risk
preschoolers.
Methods: This exploratory sequential mixed-methods study comprised two phases. Phase 1 included a qualitative
retrospective survey that examined family experiences in caring for ADHD children. This involved in-depth interviews
with 14 family caregivers (FCGs) and utilized thematic content analysis. Phase 2 involved creating, implementing, and
evaluating a family skill development model using a quasi-experimental design. Thirty FCG- ADHD at-risk preschool
child dyads, utilizing services at two Child Development Clinics, were paired and equally divided into experimental
and control groups. Data analysis used repeated measures ANOVA and covariances (ANCOVA).
Results: The study FCGs reported that family-child interactions and positive parenting alleviated the ADHD at-risk
preschool child’s behavior problems. The Family Skill Development for ADHD Behavior Problem Alleviation Model was
constructed and validated. Results from within-group comparisons showed significant improvements in the
experimental group, with reduced behavior problems (p<0.05, ηp2=0.28) in ADHD at-risk children, improved caregiver
behaviors to alleviate the child’s behavior problems (p<0.01, ηp2=0.37), and enhanced family functions (p< 0.001,
ηp2=0.42).
Conclusions: The model significantly aids families in alleviating behavior problems in ADHD at-risk children,
improving family functions and caregivers’ efforts to address the children’s behavioral issues. It is a promising parental
intervention model for fostering healthy families and reducing behavior problems in ADHD-at-risk preschool children
in northeastern Thailand and similar contexts.

Kanokjun Khamenkan1

, and Pissamai Homchampa2,*

http://dx.doi.org/10.20473/jn.v19i1.49069

February 2024,

peri irawan

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