Parenting stress and coping strategies among parents of children with ADHD in China

Abstract

Little is known about the sources of parenting stress and the coping strategies adopted by parents of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in China. The current study aimed to explore the stress and coping strategies adopted by Chinese parents using stress-coping theories. A qualitative study was conducted on fifteen parents whose children, aged between 7 and 11 years (from primary school grades one to five), had received a formal diagnosis of ADHD. The findings revealed that Chinese parents use individual, family and school coping strategies to cope with their stress. The themes that emerged from the data included five types of stressors and eight coping strategies. The choice of the strategy adopted by the parents was influenced by cultural and environmental factors; in particular, family coping strategies required the availability of a supportive spouse and a supportive family culture. Similarly, school coping strategies required the availability of school involvement opportunities and school support resources. Since the support offered by teachers and mental health professionals such as school counsellors and social workers can be strengthened, this study recommends ways to strengthen the support provided to parents of children with ADHD.