Prevalence of Anxiety and Depression among Parents of Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Their Impact on The Severity of The Illness.

Background: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental condition that imposes significant challenges not only on affected children but also on their families. Parents of children with ADHD frequently face increased caregiving demands, social stigma, and financial strain, all of which may predispose them to psychological distress. Objective: To assess the prevalence and severity of anxiety and depression among parents of children diagnosed with ADHD and examine associated sociodemographic factors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from January to June 2025 at the Psychiatry Outpatient Clinic, Damietta Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University. A total of 250 parents of children aged 6–17 years with ADHD, diagnosed using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview for Children and Adolescents (MINI-KID) and Conner’s Parent Rating Scale, were recruited. Parental depression and anxiety were measured using the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), respectively. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS v22, with chi-square tests, correlation analyses, and multivariate regression applied. Results: The mean depression score was 18.84 ± 3.65, with 42.4% of parents meeting criteria for borderline clinical depression and 43.6% for moderate depression. The mean anxiety score was 19.10 ± 4.28; most parents (74.8%) exhibited low anxiety, while 23.6% had moderate anxiety. Mothers had significantly higher depression (19.2 vs. 18.3, p = 0.033) and anxiety scores (19.6 vs. 18.3, p = 0.029) compared to fathers. Lower educational attainment was significantly associated with both higher depression and anxiety, while socioeconomic status showed mixed associations. Regression analysis identified parental illiteracy as a strong predictor of elevated depression and anxiety. Conclusion: Depression and anxiety are highly prevalent among parents of children with ADHD, particularly mothers and those with lower educational levels. These findings underscore the importance of integrating parental psychological support into ADHD management strategies.