Positive Parent-Child Relationships Associated with ADHD Symptom Severity among Rural and Urban Families

Abstract The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between positive parent-child relationships and community support to child attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptom severity and child subjective well-being across rural and urban families. Past literature has found extensive barriers for accessing quality mental health services among rural families, however there is limited information on assets of rural families that may facilitate improved mental health symptoms. Accessing high quality mental health services may be particularly important for assessment and treatment of mental health conditions such as ADHD. The current study’s aim is to provide information on the unique experiences of rural families with children with ADHD that may ultimately inform community or school-based services. Eighty-four parent-child dyads were recruited from urban and rural school settings. Eligible youth were those diagnosed with ADHD. Results showed a significant main effect of positive parent-child relationships on ADHD symptom severity. However, community support was not a significant predictor of ADHD symptom severity. Results showed no evidence that community support and positive parent-child relationships were associated with child subjective well-being. Lastly, counter to study hypotheses, there was no evidence that rural location moderated these key relationships. Implications and limitations of the current study are discussed.