COMMITTEE CHAIR: Dr. Andrea McDonald
TITLE: ATTENTION-DEFICIT AND HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER (ADHD) IN AFRICAN AMERICAN CHILDREN: AN EXAMINATION OF PARENTAL EXPERIENCE, ATTITUDE, AND PERCEPTION
ABSTRACT: Attention-deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder affecting children worldwide, yet disparities exist in its diagnosis, treatment, and management among Black children. Socioeconomic factors, cultural beliefs, and systemic racial prejudice all shape the parental responsibilities and healthcare experiences of Black families with children diagnosed with ADHD. This study employs a phenomenological research design to examine the lived experiences of African American parents raising children diagnosed with ADHD. Phenomenology, which seeks to uncover the essence of shared experiences, is well-suited to explore how parents understand, cope with, and respond to ADHD within their families and communities. Parents of children aged 7–17 were recruited through purposive sampling and invited to participate in in-depth, semi-structured interviews. Interview questions explored parental knowledge of ADHD before and after diagnosis, perceptions of treatment and therapy, school-based support, family impact, cultural influences, and barriers to resources. Interviews were conducted virtually, recorded with consent, and transcribed verbatim. Data was analyzed using phenomenological methods of thematic analysis, including identifying significant statements, clustering meanings, and synthesizing textual and structural descriptions to reveal the essence of parental experience. By centering the voices of African American parents, this study aims to provide insight into how cultural, social, and systemic factors intersect in shaping the ADHD journey and to inform recommendations for more equitable practices in healthcare and education.
Keywords: Attention-deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder , Phenomenology, African American Parents, Lived Experience, Qualitative Research
Room Location: Delco Rm 241