Psychopathology and substance abuse in parents of young children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the prevalence of psychological disorders in parents of young children with and without attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and comorbid disruptive behavior disorders (DBD).

METHOD: Subjects included 98 three- to seven-year-old children with DSM-IV ADHD (68 with ADHD and comorbid oppositional defiant or conduct disorder [ADHD+ODD/CD]) and 116 non-ADHD comparison children recruited in 1995-96 during the first wave of a longitudinal study. Biological mothers were administered interviews to assess ADHD and DBD in their children and mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders in themselves. In addition, they were queried about symptoms of childhood ADHD and DBD, and antisocial personality disorder in themselves and their children's biological fathers.

RESULTS

Child ADHD was associated with increased rates of maternal and paternal childhood ADHD relative to comparison children. Child ADHD+ODD/CD was associated with maternal mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and stimulant/cocaine dependence, and paternal childhood DBD. Mothers of children with ADHD+ODD/CD also reported increased drinking problems in their children's fathers.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings indicate that many young children with ADHD, particularly those with comorbid ODD/CD, require comprehensive services to address both their ADHD and the mental health needs of their parents.