"Everything just turned up to maximum volume...everything turned up a notch ...": The sibling experience of living with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Burston, Amanda (2005) "Everything just turned up to maximum volume...everything turned up a notch ...": The sibling experience of living with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. MSc(R) thesis, University of Glasgow.

Full text available as:
[thumbnail of 10391086.pdf] PDF
Download (3MB)
Printed Thesis Information: https://eleanor.lib.gla.ac.uk/record=b2339341

Abstract

Sibling relationships between children and their brothers and sisters with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) have been studied infrequently. This study is the first to examine the experiences of a British sample of siblings and mothers of children with ADHD. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 17 siblings and 15 mothers. Standardised questionnaire measures completed by mothers and teachers revealed that the children with ADHD were experiencing considerable behavioural and emotional difficulties, however, the siblings' difficulties were in line with those expected in a community sample. Mothers reported experiencing high levels of depression and parenting stress. Qualitative analysis of the interview responses revealed that maternal perceptions of conflict in the sibling relationship were similar to those of the siblings, and both reported that aggression initiated by the child with ADHD was a significant part of the sibling relationship. Siblings perceived their sibling relationship as different to those of their friends in terms of the severity and persistence of this aggression. Siblings described managing this aggressive behaviour with retaliatory aggression, requests for paternal intervention, avoidance and accommodation. The majority of siblings considered mothers a source of emotional and practical support. Findings suggest that mothers of children with ADHD should be supported to identify and manage sibling conflict and to recognise and seek help for psychological difficulties they, the sibling, or the child with ADHD might be experiencing.

Item Type: Thesis (MSc(R))
Qualification Level: Masters
Keywords: Clinical psychology, individual and family studies.
Colleges/Schools: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences
Supervisor's Name: Minnis, Dr. Helen
Date of Award: 2005
Depositing User: Enlighten Team
Unique ID: glathesis:2005-71461
Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
Date Deposited: 10 May 2019 14:37
Last Modified: 30 Aug 2021 15:21
Thesis DOI: 10.5525/gla.thesis.71461
URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/71461

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item

Downloads

Downloads per month over past year