Influences to ADHD Problem Recognition: Mixed-Method Investigation and Recommendations to Reduce Disparities for Latino Youth

Adm Policy Ment Health. 2018 Nov;45(6):958-977. doi: 10.1007/s10488-018-0877-7.

Abstract

ADHD problem recognition serves as the first step of help seeking for ethnic minority families, such as Latinos, who underutilize ADHD services. The current mixed-method study explores underlying factors influencing recognition of ADHD problems in a sample of 159 school-aged youth. Parent-teacher informant discrepancy results suggest that parent ethnicity, problem domain, and child age influence ADHD problem recognition. Emerging themes from semi-structured qualitative interviews/focus groups conducted with eighteen Spanish-speaking Latino parents receiving school-based services for attention and behavior concerns support a range of recognized ADHD problems, beliefs about causes, and reactions to ADHD identification. Findings provide recommendations for reducing disparities in ADHD problem recognition and subsequent help seeking.

Keywords: ADHD; Disparities; Evaluation; Latinos; Mixed-method.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Age Factors
  • Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / diagnosis*
  • Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / epidemiology
  • Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / ethnology
  • Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / psychology
  • Child
  • Child Behavior / ethnology
  • Child Behavior / psychology
  • Female
  • Focus Groups
  • Healthcare Disparities*
  • Hispanic or Latino / psychology*
  • Hispanic or Latino / statistics & numerical data
  • Humans
  • Interviews as Topic
  • Male
  • Parents