Peer-reviewed article
Psychosocial Burden Among Iranian Mothers of Children With ADHD: A Descriptive Phenomenological Study
Hassanvand M, Rajani MA, Sajadian M, Ghahremani R ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This qualitative study interviewed 13 Iranian mothers of children aged 6-12 with ADHD to understand their experiences. Mothers reported significant psychological difficulties including exhaustion, anxiety, depression, and sleep problems, as well as social challenges such as embarrassment and withdrawal from social relationships. The study found that caring for a child with ADHD affects mothers' mental health, family relationships, and social participation. The researchers concluded that families need culturally responsive support services that address caregiver well-being and reduce social isolation.
Key points
- Mothers experienced psychological exhaustion, hopelessness, depression, and persistent anxiety related to caring for children with ADHD
- Social difficulties included embarrassment, social withdrawal, perceived social insecurity, and insufficient social support
- The experience affected marital and family relationships, personal autonomy, and quality of life
- Analysis of interviews produced 20 conceptual categories organized into two domains: psychological and social difficulties
- Mothers need family-centered, culturally responsive support that addresses caregiver well-being and reduces social isolation
Limitations
This qualitative study examined only 13 mothers from Tehran clinics, so findings may not generalize to all Iranian mothers or rural populations. The study describes mothers' experiences but does not measure the prevalence or severity of psychosocial burden quantitatively, and provides no comparison with mothers of children without ADHD or with other chronic conditions.
Abstract
Abstract Background: Caring for a child with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can impact caregivers' psychological well-being, family relationships, and social participation. However, little qualitative research has examined how Iranian mothers experience these challenges. The present study aimed to explore the psychological and social experiences of Iranian mothers caring for children with ADHD. Methods: A descriptive phenomenological design was employed. Thirteen biological mothers of children aged six to twelve years with a clinical ADHD diagnosis based on DSM-5 criteria were purposely recruited from four psychology and mental health clinics in Tehran, Iran. Data were collected through individual, semi-structured, in-depth interviews lasting approximately 60 minutes. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using Colaizzi’s seven-step phenomenological method. Results: The analysis generated 131 preliminary codes, which were refined into 72 substantive codes and 20 conceptual categories. These categories were organized within two overarching domains: psychological and social difficulties. Psychological difficulties included psychological exhaustion, hopelessness about the future, depressive experiences, reduced personal autonomy, marital and family difficulties, irritability, sleep problems, persistent anxiety and worry, family tension, and a reduced quality of life. Social difficulties included embarrassment, social withdrawal, perceived social insecurity, reduced social relationships, insufficient social support, and a perceived lack of social acceptance. Conclusion: Mothers described raising a child with ADHD as a multidimensional experience that affects psychological well-being, family and marital relationships, daily functioning, and social participation. These findings underscore the importance of family-centered, culturally responsive support that addresses caregiver well-being, relational challenges, social isolation, and access to supportive services.