Parent-Adolescent Conflict in Adolescents with ADHD: Rater Agreement and Associated Factors

Few studies have assessed parent-adolescent conflict in adolescents with ADHD, potential related factors to this conflict and parent-adolescent agreement on their conflicts. This study compared parent-adolescent conflict in a large sample of adolescents with ADHD/ODD, ADHD only and a sample of typically developing [TD] adolescents. Further, informant discrepancies between parents and adolescents regarding conflict and factors (ODD, planning problems, depression and anxiety) relating to this parent-adolescent conflict were investigated. Adolescents (50 ADHD/ODD, 109 ADHD, 34 TD) aged 12 to 17 years old and their parents completed questionnaires on parent-adolescent conflict, ADHD symptoms, ODD symptoms, planning problems, depression and anxiety symptoms. Significant differences in conflict between all groups were found; the ADHD/ODD group showed most parent-adolescent conflict and the TD group the least. In the total ADHD sample (ADHD only combined with ADHD/ODD adolescents), no informant discrepancies between parents and adolescents were found on conflict measures. Within the total ADHD sample, parent-adolescent conflict was related to parent-reported ODD symptoms and planning problems. Parent-adolescent conflict is pronounced in adolescents with ADHD and even more in adolescents with ADHD/ODD. Parents and adolescents agree on the frequency of conflict. ODD symptoms and planning problems are related factors to conflict and could be important aims for treatment in adolescents with ADHD.