The relationship between parenting styles and both depression and suicidal ideation among a sample of children with ADHD: a cross-sectional study

Children with ADHD often experience problematic parenting attitudes, including less warmth, more harsh control, inconsistency, and discrimination. According to various studies, these unfavorable parenting approaches are more prevalent in households with kids who have severe ADHD. This may be linked to the emergence of depression and suicidal thoughts. In addition, children with ADHD who have comorbid depression or suicidal ideation perceive their parents’ attitudes as more negative compared to those without depression. Problematic family functioning, including increased rates of strained parent-child relationships, was found in a prior assessment of families with ADHD. These results emphasize how crucial it is to comprehend how parenting styles and family dynamics contribute to the emergence of harmful behaviors in kids and teenagers with ADHD. The aim of this study was to look at the association between parenting styles of interaction and depression and suicidal thoughts in children with ADHD. This cross-sectional study included 105 children with ADHD who were previously diagnosed and were receiving treatment. They were interviewed at the outpatient clinic of the psychiatric department at Zagazig University Hospital. For comparison, the sample was split into two groups based on whether depressive comorbidity was present or not. Clinical interviews were conducted for both parents and children. All the children enrolled in the study were subjected to the following: clinical assessment using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview for Children and Adolescents (MINI-KID) for more accurate diagnosis of ADHD, diagnosis of comorbid depression, and exclusion of other psychiatric disorders; Conners’ Parent Rating Scale–Short Version (CPRS); and assessment of the parenting style perceived by the ADHD children through the application of a children’s questionnaire. A total of 28.6% of ADHD children had comorbid depression. Additionally, 7.6% of ADHD children had suicidal ideation. There was a statistically significant association between negative parenting styles (lower warmth/support, more harsh control, more inconsistency, more overprotection, and more discrimination) and increased ADHD severity, presence of comorbid depression, and suicidal ideation among children and adolescents with ADHD. ADHD children with comorbid depression and suicidal ideation perceived their parents’ attitudes as more negative compared with ADHD children without comorbid depression or suicidal ideation. Correcting these negative parental attitudes is highly important for improving outcomes in children with ADHD.