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The Relation Between Maternal Symptoms of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Mother–Infant Interaction

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Abstract

The relationship between maternal symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and specific maternal behaviors was examined in a community sample of 40 mothers of infants aged 3–8 months. It was hypothesized that maternal ADHD symptoms would be related to lower levels of maternal sensitivity, and higher levels of maternal intrusiveness and negative regard. Mothers and their infants were observed and video-recorded in their homes while interacting in a feeding, play, and task situation. A series of hierarchical regressions partially supported the hypothesized relations: Of the specific maternal ADHD symptoms, maternal inattentive symptoms significantly predicted maternal insensitivity, intrusiveness, and negative regard above and beyond maternal symptoms of anxiety and maternal ratings of infant activity. These findings suggest that mothers reporting ADHD symptoms, particularly the inattentive cluster of symptoms, may experience difficulties in interactions with their infants. Early interventions that address these difficulties may be warranted to facilitate development and reduce the likelihood of adverse outcomes in children of mothers with symptoms of ADHD.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the mothers and infants who participated in this study. Special thanks to Maureen Best, Director of Child & Youth Community Health Services, Calgary Health Region, and to the staff at the well-child clinics. We would like to express our gratitude to Katie Kryski, Tamsin Marriot, Natalie Miller, Nicole Rigneault, Carla Stern, and Heather Zabawaski for their assistance with recruitment.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada

    Deborah L. Semple, Eric J. Mash & Jerilyn E. Ninowski

  2. Faculty of Nursing, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4, Canada

    Karen M. Benzies

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  1. Deborah L. Semple
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  2. Eric J. Mash
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  4. Karen M. Benzies
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Correspondence to Eric J. Mash.

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Semple, D.L., Mash, E.J., Ninowski, J.E. et al. The Relation Between Maternal Symptoms of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Mother–Infant Interaction. J Child Fam Stud 20, 460–472 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-010-9413-4

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