Family Functioning, Time Allocation, and Parental Depression in the Families of Normal and ADDH Children

Mothers and fathers from 52 two-parent families—26 families with a normal child and 26 families with an attention-deficit-disordered/hyperactive (ADDH) child—independently completed questionnaires regarding child behavior; time for individual, couple, and family activities; extended family and community contacts; depression; and family functioning. The communication, problem solving, role allocation, behavioral control, affective responsiveness, affective involvement, and general functioning of normal and ADDH families did not differ significantly. Families of ADDH children reported fewer extended family contacts and described these as less helpful. Mothers of ADDH children reported higher depression scores than their husbands or the mothers of normal children did. Alcohol consumption was higher in families of ADDH children than in those of normal children and was higher in mothers. Mothers' depression ratings were linked both to family functioning and to child behavior, whereas fathers' depression ratings were linked only to family functioning.