Journal of Applied Psychological Research

The Lived Experiences of Mothers in Coping with Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): Individual Challenges, Familial and Social Issues

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Psychology and Education of Exceptional Children, Faculty of Psychology and Education, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.

2 Associate Professor, Department of Psychology and Education of Exceptional Children, Faculty of Psychology and Education, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.

3 Department of Pharmacoeconomics and Pharmaceutical Management, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.

Abstract

The objective of the current investigation was to ascertain and comprehend the lived experiences of mothers of children diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The methodology employed in this investigation was qualitative and phenomenological. Mothers of children aged 6 to 12 who were diagnosed with this disorder comprised the research population. Purposive sampling was employed to identify participants from various locations throughout Iran in 2024. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten mothers of children diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder to gather data. Thedata were systematically analyzed using Colaizzi’s seven-step method and MAXQDA24 software. The study’s findings encompassed two primary themes: individual issues of the mother (including sub-themes of awareness and recognition of the disorder, daily challenges, psychological experiences of the mother and concerns, and coping strategies) and family and social issues (including sub-themes of parent-child interaction, family challenges in responding to the disorder, and community attitudes toward the disorder and treatment). In general, the findings indicated that mothers of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder encounter a variety of psychological, familial, and social obstacles in addition to the direct consequences of the disorder. Among the issues that necessitate additional attention from health care providers and policymakers are mother-child interaction, community attitudes, and poor social support.

Keywords

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Journal of Applied Psychological Research
Volume 17, Issue 2
July 2026
Pages 81-94
  • Receive Date: 11 April 2025
  • Revise Date: 22 July 2025
  • Accept Date: 03 August 2025
  • First Publish Date: 26 April 2026
  • Publish Date: 22 June 2026