Document Type : Original Article
Researcher
student
Ministerial Ethics Committee
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders in childhood and is associated not only with impairments in children’s academic and social functioning but also with significant psychological consequences for families, particularly mothers. Research indicates that mothers of children with ADHD experience higher levels of depression, parental burnout, and cognitive distortions, which may interact in a reciprocal cycle, exacerbating both maternal mental health problems and children’s behavioral symptoms. Pharmacological treatment of ADHD, especially with methylphenidate (Ritalin), is considered the most effective approach for controlling core symptoms of the disorder and may indirectly influence maternal psychological well-being.
The present study aims to examine changes in depression, parental burnout, and cognitive distortions in mothers of children with ADHD during the course of the child’s pharmacological treatment with methylphenidate. This study adopts a quasi-experimental, single-group design with repeated measurements, assessing maternal psychological variables before the initiation of treatment and at multiple follow-up stages during treatment. The theoretical framework of the study is grounded in Beck’s cognitive theory of depression, emphasizing the interactive role of cognitive distortions, depressive symptoms, and parental burnout.
It is hypothesized that the reduction of ADHD symptoms in children as a result of pharmacological treatment will lead to decreased parenting-related stress and the modification of negative cognitive appraisals, thereby improving maternal emotional and psychological functioning. The findings of this study may contribute to the development of family-centered interventions, enhancement of parental support programs, and improved effectiveness of ADHD treatment by addressing not only child symptoms but also maternal mental health within the Iranian cultural context.