Several interesting studies were published in the field of ADHD in Saudi Arabia in June 2024. In this blog post we have summarised their findings, categorising them by related themes to provide a comprehensive overview of the latest insights into ADHD and its impacts within the region. Links to each article are provided.
Quality of Life and Mental Health of Parents
A study by Alenezi et al. explored the mental health and quality of life of parents managing children with ADHD. The research utilised an online survey of 151 parents, assessing depression, anxiety, and coping strategies through the WHOQOL-Brief, Brief-COPE, and PHQ-9 modules. The findings revealed that 36% of parents experienced moderate to severe depression, while 39.1% faced moderate to high anxiety levels. Quality of life was positively correlated with higher household income, employment, and effective coping strategies but negatively correlated with parental age and educational level. Fathers exhibited higher maladaptive coping scores compared to mothers.
Read the article: The Ripple Effect: Quality of Life and Mental Health of Parents of Children with ADHD
Similarly, Alhefdhi et al. investigated the quality of life, discrimination, and information sources for parents of ADHD children. Conducted via an online questionnaire, the study included 100 participants primarily from the southern region of Saudi Arabia. The results showed significant impacts on parents’ quality of life, with half of the participants facing discrimination and a strong desire for more information about ADHD. The primary source of information was the Internet, followed by schools and relatives.
Read the article: Exploring quality of life, discrimination, and knowledge of parents of ADHD children in Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study
Public Perception and Awareness
Woodman et al.’s systematic review article, assessed public knowledge and attitudes toward neuropsychiatric disorders, including ADHD. The review analysed studies from 2010 to 2022, highlighting a general lack of understanding and numerous misconceptions about ADHD and autism. The study called for more research across all regions of Saudi Arabia to enhance awareness and inform policy and practice.
Read the article: Perception and behavior toward neuropsychiatric disorders in Saudi Arabia: A systematic review and quality assessment
ADHD and Emotion Dysregulation
The study by Aboud et al. aimed to elucidate the link between ADHD and emotion dysregulation (EDR) among students. Conducted with 180 children and assessed by 30 teachers, the research proposed a structural model that highlighted a positive association between ADHD and EDR. Despite the inherent limitations of diagnostic research, this study provides a framework for further investigations into the co-occurrence of these disorders.
Read the article: The Structure of the Relationship Between Attention-deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Emotion Dysregulation Among Students in Saudi Arabia
References
- Alenezi, S., Alkhawashki, S. H., Alkhorayef, M., Alarifi, S., Alsahil, S., Alhaqbani, R., & Alhussaini, N. (2024). The Ripple Effect: Quality of Life and Mental Health of Parents of Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study. Children, 11(6), 678. doi: 10.3390/children11060678
- Woodman, A., Waheed, K. B., Al-Ansari, R. Y., Ahmad, S., Rehman, T. U., Rasheed, M., & Jaoua, N. (2024). Perception and Behaviour Toward Neuropsychiatric Disorders in Saudi Arabia: A Systematic Review and Quality Assessment. Autism. doi: 10.1177/13623613241258544
- Alhefdhi, H., Alshehri, N., Zomia, A., Lahiq, L., Hussain, A., Alaskari, A., Alasiri, W., Alqarni, A., Asiri, F., Alqahtani, A., Asiri, M., & Alhifthy, E. (2024). Exploring Quality of Life, Discrimination, and Knowledge of Parents of ADHD Children in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study. Medicine, 103(24), e38102. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000038102
- Aboud, Y. Z., AlAli, R., & Bukhamseen, A. (2024). The Structure of the Relationship Between Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Emotion Dysregulation Among Students in Saudi Arabia. Journal of Disability Research, 3(6). doi: 10.57197/jdr-2024-0069
