Meta-Analysis: Parenting Children and Adolescents With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Compared to Healthy Controls.
Tudor Văidean, Anca Dobrean, Elena Predescu et al.
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review and meta-analysis compared parenting practices in families of children and adolescents (≤18 years) with specialist-confirmed ADHD and non-clinical controls. It included 62 studies from 19 countries, with 13,105 participants. Compared with controls, parents of children with ADHD showed lower positive parenting (Hedges g = -0.37, 95% CI = -0.46 to -0.27) and higher negative parenting (g = 0.47, 95% CI = 0.39 to 0.56). The authors reported high heterogeneity and noted that cross-sectional designs limit causal inference.
Key findings
- Positive parenting was lower in ADHD families than controls (g = -0.37, 95% CI = -0.46 to -0.27).
- Negative parenting was higher in ADHD families than controls (g = 0.47, 95% CI = 0.39 to 0.56).
- The strongest reported differences included abuse (g = 0.60), authoritative parenting (g = -0.56), family conflict (g = 0.52), and hostility (g = 0.51).
- Heterogeneity was high (I 2 ≥ 90%), with no consistent moderators or small-study effects identified.
Why it matters
The findings indicate that parenting practices differ between families of children with ADHD and non-clinical controls, including in warmth, conflict, and harsh discipline. These patterns are relevant to understanding family context and support needs, but the evidence does not establish whether parenting differences contribute to ADHD or arise in response to it.
What to keep in mind
High heterogeneity across studies and cross-sectional designs limit interpretation and causal inference.