Hopelessness in caregivers of children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: Associations with depression and anxiety and multidimensionally related factors.

Background/purpose: Hopelessness can compromise caregivers' mental health and impede their ability to take care of their child with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The study aimed to explore the associations of hopelessness with caregiver depression and anxiety in caregivers of children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Additionally, the study examined the associations of child demographics, ADHD and oppositional defiance symptoms, and caregiver demographics, parenting stress, and affiliate stigma with hopelessness.

Methods: The study included 213 caregivers of children with ADHD who completed various assessments. Caregiver hopelessness was assessed using the Beck Hopelessness Scale, while child ADHD and oppositional defiance symptoms were assessed using the Parent Form of the Swanson, Nolan, and Pelham Scale, Version IV. Parenting stress was measured using the Parenting Stress Index, Fourth Edition Short Form (PSI-4-SF), and affiliate stigma using the Affiliate Stigma Scale. Hierarchical regression analysis was used to investigate the multidimensional factors associated with caregiver hopelessness.

Results: Caregiver hopelessness was significantly linked to caregiver depression and anxiety. Child inattention, caregiver parenting stress, and affiliate stigma were significantly associated with caregiver hopelessness. A higher level of affiliate stigma increased the association between child inattention and caregiver hopelessness.

Conclusion: These findings suggest that it is necessary to develop intervention programs for alleviating the sense of hopelessness among caregivers of children with ADHD. Such programs should focus on addressing child inattention, caregiver parenting stress, and affiliate stigma.