The Comparison of Self-Efficacy Beliefs of Adolescents With and Without Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Parents’ Parental Self-Efficacy Beliefs, and ADHD Symptoms

Objective: In this study, it was aimed to compare the self-efficacy beliefs of adolescents with and without attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), parents’ parental self-efficacy beliefs, and ADHD symptoms.

Method: The clinical sample consisted of 46 adolescents diagnosed with ADHD between the ages of 14-17 and parents of 42 adolescents; control sample consisted of 43 adolescents without any diagnosis and their parents. Adolescent participants have completed the socio-demographic form and Self-Efficacy Scale in Adolescents; their parents have completed the Parental Self-Efficacy Scale, Wen­der Utah Rating Scale and Adult Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder Self-Report Scale.

Results: As a result, it was found that adolescents with diagnosed ADHD have lower general and academic self-efficacy belief scores than those in the control group. Whereas it was showed that there is a significant positive relationship between self-efficacy belief scores of female adolescents in clinical and control group and the parental self-efficacy belief scores of their parents, there isn’t a significant relationship between male adolescents and their parents’ parental self-efficacy belief scores in ADHD and control group. The parental self-efficacy belief scores of parents in clinical group were significantly lower than those in the control group. Finally, it was reported that parents with adolescents diagno­sed with ADHD have adult ADHD symptoms more than those in control group whereas there was a significant difference between the fathers in terms of childhood ADHD symptoms, but no difference between the mothers of the two groups.

Conclusion: The results of this study are important in terms of addressing the self-efficacy beliefs of adolescents with and without ADHD together with the parental self-efficacy beliefs of their mothers and fathers.