Knowledge and attitudes about conduct disorder of professionals working with young people: The influence of occupation and direct and indirect experience

BACKGROUND

Knowledge and attitudes of professionals both pose a potential barrier to diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders. However, knowledge and attitudes about conduct disorder in professionals working with young people are poorly understood. Little is known about the impact of occupation, direct and indirect (training and education) experience, or the interrelationship between knowledge and attitudes.

METHODS

We conducted an online survey of 58 participants, including Psychology Staff, Teaching Staff, Care Staff, and Other Non-Clinical Staff. A questionnaire comprising three subscales (causes, treatments, and characteristics) measured knowledge. A thermometer scale measured global attitudes. Open-ended response measures were used to measure four attitude components: stereotypic beliefs (about characteristics), symbolic beliefs (about the holder's traditions), affect, and past behaviour. Primary analysis explored the impact of occupation, direct experience, and indirect experience on outcome measures. A secondary exploratory analysis was conducted to explore the relationship between knowledge and attitudes.

RESULTS

Psychology Staff had significantly more favourable global attitudes (F = 0.49, p = 0.01) and symbolic beliefs (F = 0.57, p = 0.02) towards those with conduct disorder than Teaching Staff; there were no other significant group differences in attitudes. Psychology staff had more knowledge about conduct disorder than other groups, though the differences were not significant. Direct and indirect experience were associated with greater knowledge (direct: d = 0.97, p = 0.002; indirect d = 0.86, p = 0.004) and favourable global attitudes (direct: d = 1.12, p < 0.001; indirect: d = 0.68, p = 0.02). Secondary exploratory analyses revealed significant positive correlations between: all knowledge variables with global attitudes; total knowledge with past behaviour; and affect and knowledge of causes with past behaviour.

CONCLUSIONS

Psychology-based staff may have more favourable attitudes towards children with conduct disorder than teachers, primarily due to direct and indirect experience with the disorder. Our sample may have been too small to detect overall or within-group effects of knowledge or attitudes, however exploratory analyses showing a positive correlation between knowledge and attitudes suggest education may be critical in supporting teachers and other groups in their approaches to this challenging group of young people.

Exploring Teachers' Knowledge and Attitudes Toward Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Its Treatment in a District of Turkey

Background Teachers are pivotal in integrating children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) into academic and social contexts. Their comprehension of and attitudes toward ADHD significantly influence the inclusion of these children. This study was conducted to assess teachers' knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions about ADHD and its treatment within a representative sample from Turkey. Methods An online self-administered questionnaire was formulated to gauge teachers' knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions related to ADHD and its treatment. Results Of the respondents, 57.7% accurately identified that ADHD is more commonly present in boys. Furthermore, a majority of teachers (60.8%) correctly answered the question related to the comorbidity of ADHD and learning disabilities. However, 20.3% of teachers believed that ADHD medications were addictive, with 9.7% expressing reluctance to use such treatment for their children if needed. Conclusion The results highlight the need for revising the current training curricula for novice teachers and providing additional training for experienced teachers. Such initiatives should aim to rectify any negative perceptions and attitudes toward ADHD held by teachers.

Mental Health Literacy for Supporting Children: A Systematic Review of Teacher and Parent/Carer Knowledge and Recognition of Mental Health Problems in Childhood

The level of mental health literacy (MHL) in adults who work with or care for children is likely to influence the timeliness and adequacy of support that children receive for mental health problems. The aim of this study was to systematically review the literature on mental health literacy for supporting children (MHLSC, recognition/knowledge) among parents and teachers of school aged children (5 to 12 years old). A systematic search was conducted for quantitative studies published between 2000 and June 2021 using three databases (MEDLINE, PsycINFO and ERIC) and relevant citations reviewed in Scopus. To be included, studies needed to measure at least either 'mental health knowledge' or 'recognition'. Synthesis proceeded according to study design, adult population, child MHP, then MHL outcome. Study quality was assessed using AXIS. 3322 documents were screened, 39 studies met inclusion criteria. 49% of studies examined teachers' knowledge or recognition of ADHD; only five studies reported on parent samples. Synthesis found a nascent field that was disparate in definitions, methods and measures. Little research focussed on knowledge and recognition for internalizing problems, or on parents. Methods used for measuring knowledge/recognition (vignette vs screening) were associated with different outcomes and the quality of studies was most often low to moderate. Adults appear to have good recognition of childhood ADHD but their knowledge of internalizing disorders is less clear. Further research is required to develop standard definitions and validated measures so gaps in MHLSC can be better identified across populations who have a role in supporting children with their mental health.

Factors Affecting Knowledge of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Among Female Primary Schoolteachers in Taif City, Saudi Arabia

Background Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a public health challenge because it may contribute to academic and psychological difficulties among school children. Though ADHD is a common problem, Taif teachers' knowledge of the disease has never been assessed. Therefore, this study aimed to determine factors that influence ADHD knowledge among female primary schoolteachers in Taif City, Saudi Arabia. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted on 359 female schoolteachers recruited by stratified random sampling. Participants self-reported demographic and personal data and completed the validated Arabic version of the knowledge of ADHD scale and teacher's attitude toward ADHD questionnaires. Results In Taif, it was determined that 96.4% of female primary schoolteachers had insufficient knowledge of ADHD, notably with nature, causes, consequences, and treatment knowledge. In contrast, 40% had adequate knowledge of the condition's symptoms and diagnosis, and 97.5% exhibited a favorable attitude. There is significantly higher knowledge among private schoolteachers, those who freshly graduated, specialize in learning difficulties, who attended any course/training about ADHD, and whoever taught ADHD children. There was a significant positive weak correlation between teachers' knowledge of ADHD and their attitude. Regression analysis revealed that female schoolteachers specialized in learning difficulties show significantly higher knowledge scores, teachers who never taught an ADHD child had a reduction of 94.6 % in ADHD knowledge, and any increase in the number of ADHD children teachers teaches has significantly increased teachers' knowledge (Overall Model: Chi-Square X2= 69.514, p < 0.000**). Conclusions Our study showed that there was a serious knowledge gap on ADHD among Taif female primary schoolteachers. Therefore, it is strongly recommended to boost teachers' knowledge of ADHD, especially at government schools, through conducting training courses, distributing leaflets intended to address ADHD, and launching awareness campaigns through the media, including social media, television, and radio. It is also recommended that education faculty curricula should include more information on ADHD.

Effective but Not Feasible—What Support Staff in All-Day Primary Schools Think of Pedagogical Interventions with Regard to Children with ADHD

Children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are faced with multiple challenges both in the classroom and in the homework situation. While there are many studies on pedagogical interventions by teachers in the classroom, this is hardly the case when it comes to support staff in after-school homework supervision. In this study, 196 support staff with different qualifications were asked not only about their knowledge of ADHD, their subjective level of stress, and whether they felt trained enough to work with children with ADHD, but also to assess the effectiveness and feasibility of 25 interventions in homework supervision. Overall, the respondents rated effectiveness higher than feasibility. Higher qualifications, greater knowledge, and better preparation went hand in hand with higher ratings of effectiveness. The more stressed the support staff feel themselves to be, the less feasible they rate the measures. The results underline the necessity of employing well-trained pedagogical staff to supervise children with ADHD. A number of interventions can be identified that the support staff deem to be both effective and feasible, and that promise a high level of implementation in practice. At the same time, more attention should be given to potential obstacles to using recommended measures in training and further education.

The Effects of ADHD Teacher Training Programs on Teachers and Pupils: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVE

To synthesize the evidence on the efficacy of ADHD teacher training interventions for teachers' ADHD knowledge and reducing pupils' ADHD-type behaviors.

METHOD

Six electronic databases were systematically searched up to 14/04/20. Meta-analyses were performed to pool standardized mean differences (SMD).

RESULTS

29 studies were included in the systematic review, and 22 meta-analyzed. SMD for teacher knowledge within subjects at post-test and follow-up was 1.96 (95% confidence interval = 1.48, 2.43) and ‒1.21 (-2.02, -0.41) respectively. Between subjects analyses at post-test showed SMD = 1.56 (0.52, 2.59), with insufficient data at follow-up. At post-test, SMD for pupils' behavior within and between subjects was 0.78 (0.37, 1.18), and 0.71 (-0.11, 1.52), respectively. Medium-to-high risk of bias was found in all but one study.

CONCLUSION

ADHD teacher training programs may be effective in initially improving ADHD teachers' knowledge. There is inconsistent evidence for their efficacy to reduce students' ADHD-type behaviors.

Facilitators and Barriers of Teachers’ Use of Effective Classroom Management Strategies for Students with ADHD: A Model Analysis Based on Teachers’ Perspectives

Students with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) often experience school-related difficulties. Although evidence-based classroom management strategies (CMS) are known to alleviate such problems, they are rarely implemented. The current study examined whether a path model including variables influencing the use of effective CMS developed by top-down methods can be replicated utilizing an open science method. An extended model including class size and experience with children with ADHD was also calculated. We further explored prominent implementation barriers. N = 336 in-service teachers completed an online survey. Perceived effectiveness, training on ADHD, perceived disruption, and affiliation with primary/special educational needs schools were important variables associated with the use of CMS. While class size was not correlated with the use of CMS, experience mediated by training revealed an indirect association with it. Class size, lack of time, and many students with disabilities were the most frequently reported implementation barriers. The implementation of effective CMS could thus be mainly enhanced by improving how effectiveness is perceived and by engaging teachers in ADHD-specialized training. Preparing teachers in how to cope with potential barriers should also be considered.

Knowledge and attitude of Attention-Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) among male primary school teachers, in Riyadh City, Saudi Arabia

Objective:

The aim of this study was to explore teachers' knowledge about the ADHD, its origin, causes, and identify the main demographic variables affecting their knowledge.

Methods:

The study was conducted among male school teachers of ten government primary schools that are found in different regions of Riyadh city, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. We used a stratified random sampling technique to collect our sample with inclusion criteria of being male teachers who currently working in male government primary school and are directly involved on teaching of students. Data analysis was performed using SPSS software statistical program version 21.

Results:

We received 400 response for our questionnaire, mostly younger than 40 years old. Most of teachers in this sample had a bachelor's degree, only 6% had diploma while 8% had a higher degree, while most of them had experience more than 5 years in teaching (74.2%). only 8%of teachers admitted that they had not heard about ADHD before. 78% of teachers had read about ADHD at least once before. This knowledge was more from reading books (32.8%) followed by reading internet websites (28.7%), TV/Media (14.6%) while magazine and social media represent (23.9%). Most of the teachers showed that they had attended courses/training about ADHD (76.7%) however only 40.4% of them thought that they had the enough information about the disease. 51.5% of teachers showed that they had already asked before to assess a child who was suspected to have ADHD and 65.3% had taught a child with the disease.

Conclusion:

From the results of this study, it is concluded that the knowledge regarding ADHD among elementary school teachers is suboptimal. Some teachers had misunderstanding about ADHD symptoms and general information, which indicated the further needing for courses to enhance this knowledge.

Elementary school teachers knowledge and attitude towards attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder in Gondar, Ethiopia: a multi-institutional study

BACKGROUND

A child suffering from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) faces many difficulties in social as well as academic performances. School teachers' knowledge and attitude towards ADHD play a vital role in early detection and referral of the child to treatment centers. Few existing reports, however, indicate the alarming rate at which the problem is highly neglected in sub-Saharan Africa. The present study is designed to determine the knowledge, attitude, and factors that affecting elementary school teachers about ADHD.

METHODS

An institutional-based cross-sectional study design was conducted in Gondar town and other towns nearby Gondar from February 24 to March 24, 2020. Data were collected through structured self -administered questionnaires using the Knowledge of Attention Deficit Disorders Scale and ADHD-specific attitudes measurement tools. Then, it was entered into Epi-info version 7 and exported to SPSS version 20 for analysis. Bivariable and multivariate logistic regressions were fitted to identify factors associated with the knowledge and attitude of elementary school teachers. Variables having a p-value < 0.05 at 95% CI were considered statistically significant.

RESULT

Of 636 respondents, about 44.8% (95% CI 41.2, 48.4) and 84.1% (95% CI 81.0, 86.8) of elementary school teachers had good knowledge and a favorable attitude towards ADHD, respectively. Having a diploma and above (AOR = 3.028, 95% CI 1.630-5.625), reading ADHD leaflets (AOR = 2.035, 95% CI 1.391, 2.950) and search ADHD on the internet (AOR = 1.793, 95% CI 1.090, 2.950) were significantly associated with teachers knowledge to ADHD; whereas, working experience in teaching a child with ADHD (AOR = 1.852, 95% CI 1.195-2.87) and watching ADHD on mass media (AOR = 1.72, 95% CI 1.056-2.8) were positively predicts teachers attitude towards ADHD.

CONCLUSION

the proportion of teachers' knowledge towards ADHD was low; in contrast, their attitude was relatively satisfactory. Strengthening teachers' educational upgrading system, frequent and fair distribution of leaflets written to address ADHD, installation of an internet system to the schools, and continuous ADHD awareness creation programs through mass media are highly recommended.

Knowledge and Feelings of Competence with Regard to ADHD Among Support Staff in All-Day Primary Schools

(1) Background: Schools report a high number of schoolchildren with poor attention and hyperactive behavior, with 5% being diagnosed with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This causes specific problems during homework and classroom times, and the extension of all-day schooling in German primary schools makes this a challenge for support staff working in the after-school programs. Such staff have a very wide variety of qualifications, ranging from no formal teacher training to full teaching qualifications. (2) Methods: This study documents the knowledge of 196 support staff working in all-day primary schools about ADHD, and their subjective view of whether they feel competent with regard to homework situations in general and ADHD in particular. (3) Results: Those with an educational background have significantly more knowledge than those without such a background, staff feel less prepared to supervise children with ADHD, and there is a small but significant correlation here with knowledge about ADHD. (4) Conclusions: The importance of trained pedagogical staff in the supervision of children with concentration problems is emphasized.

Influences on Teachers’ Intention to Apply Classroom Management Strategies for Students with ADHD: A Model Analysis

Students with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) show reduced on-task behavior at school and educational problems due to the symptoms associated with this diagnosis. Classroom management strategies (CMS) are important to reduce impairment due to ADHD symptoms but are not yet well implemented. In this study we analyzed whether the facilitators and barriers regarding the intention to apply CMS identified for pre-service teachers are replicable in a sample of teachers in service. Overall, 599 teachers in service completed an online survey on the intention to apply CMS, their attitude towards CMS and towards students with ADHD, direct experiences, individual differences, and social influences. We calculated path models that significantly clarified variance in the intention to apply CMS (R2intention to use effective CMS = 0.47, p < 0.01 and R2intention to use ineffective CMS = 0.39, p < 0.01). It turns out that similar variables are relevant to teachers in service as well as pre-service teachers. A models’ extension to include variables that do justice to the difference between the two groups, such as work experience, shows a better model fit. Especially, attitude towards CMS, attitude towards students with ADHD, strain, perceived behavioral control and teachers’ affiliation with primary or special needs schools are important variables regarding the intention to apply CMS. The implementation of effective and elimination of ineffective CMS should thus be addressed by targeting teacher’s attitudes towards children with ADHD. Furthermore, strain prevention and education might enhance the application of effective CMS.

Schoolteachers' Knowledge of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder-Current Status and Effectiveness of Knowledge Improvement Program: A Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

Adequately knowledgeable schoolteachers can play an essential role in early detection and proper treatment of children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) at school.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the schoolteachers' knowledge of ADHD and to evaluate the effectiveness of the ADHD knowledge improvement program.

METHODS

A randomized controlled trial study design was followed on 100 primary school teachers from Abha City, Saudi Arabia. Teachers were randomly selected and allocated into trial and control groups. A self-administered questionnaire was used to evaluate teachers' knowledge about ADHD. After the baseline assessment, participants in the trial group received a two-day ADHD knowledge improvement program. Teachers' knowledge about ADHD was reassessed using the same questionnaire immediately after finishing the intervention program and after three months in both groups.

RESULTS

Only 16% and 22% of trial and control groups, respectively, showed adequate baseline knowledge about ADHD. Teachers' main sources of information about ADHD were the internet (67%), friends (47%), TV (34%), and reading books (23%). Knowledge of teachers in the trial group significantly improved immediately after the intervention. After three months, these knowledge benefits slightly declined but remained more adequate than those of teachers in the control group. The logistic regression model revealed that being a participant in the trial group and of higher qualification were associated with significant improvement in teachers' retained knowledge on ADHD (p < 0.001 and p = 0.050, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

The majority of male primary school teachers in Abha City, Saudi Arabia, have inadequate knowledge about ADHD. Applying a knowledge improvement program can substantially improve their knowledge of ADHD. Consideration should be given to the integration of ADHD knowledge improvement program into teachers' educational programs.

Predicting Use of Medications for Children with ADHD: The Contribution of Parent Social Cognitions

OBJECTIVE

To explore how well parental social cognitions, guided by the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA), contribute to the uptake and continuation of stimulant medication for children with ADHD. No previous study has explored this model in predicting medication use in a clinical sample.

METHOD

Sixty-nine parents of children aged 6-13 years presenting to a tertiary ADHD clinic completed questionnaires, and a clinician documented their medication usage.

RESULTS

When controlling for medication status at baseline, both of the components of the TRA (i.e., attitudes and norms) predicted medication status following initial visit. Logistic regressions indicated that parents were more likely to enroll in or continue stimulant medication if they had lower stigma related to ADHD, a higher opinion of ADHD medications, and a greater knowledge of ADHD; this model classified 72.5% of the patients who started or continued stimulant medications.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings suggest that the parents' knowledge about ADHD, opinion about treatment, and ADHD-related stigma are key factors to target in order to increase the uptake and continued use of evidence-based pharmacological interventions for children with ADHD.

Incidencia de la experiencia docente con el TDAH en los conocimientos, la autoeficacia y los niveles de estrés docente

Los estudios que han comparado los conocimientos que tienen los profesores sin experiencia (PSE) y los profesores con experiencia profesional (PCE) sobre el Trastorno por Déficit de Atención e Hiperactividad (TDAH) han mostrado resultados contradictorios. Además, el papel que tiene la experiencia docente con niños con TDAH sobre los conocimientos, la autoeficacia y el estrés docente no ha sido abordado en los estudios previos. Por ello, el presente estudio pretende: a) comparar los conocimientos, las creencias erróneas y las lagunas de conocimiento de los PCE y PSE de España, acerca del TDAH; b) analizar la experiencia de los PCE con niños con TDAH y la relación con los conocimientos, la autoeficacia, y el estrés docente; c) analizar las relaciones de los conocimientos acerca del TDAH con las variables sociodemográficas. Participaron 134 PSE y 115 PCE. Cumplimentaron la Escala de Conocimientos sobre el Trastorno por Déficit de Atención con Hiperactividad (Kadds), el Índice de Estrés Docente (ITS) y un cuestionario de información sociodemográfica. Los resultados indican que los conocimientos de ambos grupos son similares, aunque los PSE obtuvieron más aciertos sobre síntomas/diagnóstico y los PCE presentaron más creencias erróneas en la escala total y sobre síntomas/diagnóstico. Los PCE que tuvieron experiencia con niños con TDAH experimentaron mayor nivel de estrés docente y mayor autoeficacia. Los conocimientos sobre el TDAH correlacionaron con las asignaturas de carrera, los cursos sobre TDAH y los años de experiencia profesional.

Primary school teachers' misconceptions about Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Nekemte town, Oromia region, Western Ethiopia

Objective

Teachers’ misconception on Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in general and the implementation of effective educational strategies for children with this problem in particular is one obstacle that largely impacts the academic and overall success of school children with this problem. In Ethiopia, despite there are thousands of school children with this ADHD, no studies have been conducted to examine school teachers’ understanding about problem. This research was therefore aimed to investigate primary school teachers’ misconceptions about ADHD in Western Ethiopia.

Result

In this study, 76.2% of respondents had misconception on general awareness of ADHD. More than half (62.7%) of them had misconceptions on the diagnosis and on 81% had misconceptions regarding treatment of the problem. Concerning teachers’ misconception on the contemporarily recommended educational placement of students with ADHD, 141 (68.3%) have said that such students should be placed in part time special education. The findings of this research have clearly indicated that primary school teachers have a wide range of misconceptions about the ADHD. It also reflects the need of equipping teachers with basic knowledge of ADHD which also enables them provide effective support for students with this exceptionality.

Does the education system serve as a persuasion agent for recommending ADHD diagnosis and medication uptake? A qualitative case study to identify and characterize the persuasion strategies of Israeli teachers and school counselors

BACKGROUND

There has been a steady rise in the use of medication by Israeli school children to treat ADHD, partly due to what seems like school teachers' and counselors' tendency to express positive attitudes towards its use. Therfore it is important to examine the involvement of the school teachers and counselors in the parents' decision-making about giving their children medication.

METHODS

This study used a qualitative constructivist research method of semi-structured interviews. It included individual interviews with 36 teachers and school counselors and 11 parents of students ages 9-14 from the Jewish and Arab populations.

RESULTS

Teachers and school counselors use different strategies to encourage parents to have their children diagnosed for ADHD and medicated. First they suggest diagnosis as a necessary step in the best interest of the child, distinguishing between diagnosis and medication to mitigate parents' concerns. In the second stage, teachers normalize the use of medication, as well as framing it as a drug that provides not only a medical treatment but also emotional wellbeing.

CONCLUSIONS

Teachers and counselors are involved in parents' decision-making process about medicating their children to treat ADHD, which contradicts the education system's guidelines. It is necessary to set clear and explicit limits and guidelines for education system employees so that they do not cross professional and ethical limits.

What Do Primary and Secondary School Teachers Know About ADHD in Children? Findings From a Systematic Review and a Representative, Nationwide Sample of Danish Teachers

OBJECTIVE

To identify what primary and secondary school teachers know about ADHD in children and, furthermore, to identify which factors predict their knowledge.

METHOD

A 29-item questionnaire about ADHD was distributed to a random, nationwide, and representative sample of Danish primary and secondary school teachers. Data were analyzed descriptively and by hierarchical regression analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 528 teachers were included. Most teachers identified the symptoms of ADHD (79%-96%) and effective classroom intervention strategies (75%-98%). However, knowledge about other characteristics, etiology, prognosis, and treatment was inconsistent, for example, only 56% and 17% correctly rejected diet as a cause and effective treatment for ADHD. Among the strongest predictors for correct knowledge was having been provided postgraduate education about ADHD.

CONCLUSION

Teachers require knowledge about ADHD to successfully include and manage children with ADHD and, additionally, to ensure positive working environments for teachers and support constructive school-home working collaborations.

In-Service Training for Increasing Teachers' ADHD Knowledge and Self-Efficacy

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this article is to evaluate the efficacy of a brief in-service training workshop at increasing primary school teachers' ADHD knowledge and sense of self-efficacy.

METHOD

Teachers from 10 schools participated in the study ( n = 274) and were allocated into either an intervention or waitlist control group. Teachers' ADHD knowledge and self-efficacy were assessed following the provision of a brief training workshop on ADHD. Knowledge and self-efficacy retention were also assessed at a 1-month follow-up.

RESULTS

Within the intervention group, ADHD knowledge and self-efficacy increased following the intervention (both ps < .001). Knowledge increased more than twofold, from very low to high levels, although increases in self-efficacy were more modest. Both knowledge and self-efficacy decreased at the 1-month follow-up but, nevertheless, remained higher than baseline levels ( p < .001).

CONCLUSION

Results demonstrate that a brief training workshop can increase primary school teachers' ADHD knowledge and self-efficacy. Whilst increases in self-efficacy were modest, our findings suggest that a brief professional development intervention can be utilized to greatly increase teachers' ADHD knowledge, providing a cost-effective, practical solution to address this well-evidenced gap in teachers' training and knowledge about the disorder.

Knowledge About ADHD in Primary Teachers of Public Schools of Sabaneta, Antioquia

OBJECTIVES

The present research aims to describe the knowledge of elementary school teachers about attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) through interviews about general information, symptoms/diagnosis and treatment, in addition to perceived self-efficacy.

METHODS

A descriptive cross-sectional population study was carried out, involving 62 teachers from public schools in the municipality of Sabaneta. The teachers were evaluated by the Spanish adaptation of the Knowledge of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (KADDS), an estimation scale composed of 36 items of three alternative answers (true, false and I do not know).

RESULTS

Teachers correctly answered a little less than half of the items in the total questionnaire (48.52%). Specifically, it was in the subscale of dymptoms/diagnosis in which they presented more hits with 69.35%, followed by the treatment subscale (45.30%), and finally the general information (38.60%).

CONCLUSIONS

According to the data obtained, the need for interventions on the subject is confirmed, so that this is reflected in new teaching techniques that facilitate the learning and development of children with the disorder.

Pre-service teachers' perceptions of sluggish cognitive tempo

Sluggish cognitive tempo (SCT) is characterized by a passive form of inattention that may not overtly disrupt classroom goals. Due to the nature of these symptoms, children with SCT may be "falling through the cracks" in schools. The current study examined pre-service teachers' perceptions of SCT in the classroom. Undergraduate education majors (n = 161) read vignettes describing fictitious fourth-grade boys presenting with symptoms of SCT, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), or a non-ADHD-related control: social anxiety disorder (SA), and rated each of the vignettes in terms of their perceptions of the boy described. Results were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVAs and paired-sample t tests. Pre-service teachers viewed all three sets of symptoms as concerning, but viewed ADHD behaviors as the most problematic. These results are promising, as they suggest that pre-service teachers are concerned about both hyperactive (i.e., ADHD) and non-hyperactive behavioral problems (i.e., SCT and SA). Implications and future directions are discussed.

Effect of attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder training program on the knowledge and attitudes of primary school teachers in Kaduna, North West Nigeria

BACKGROUND

There are indications that teachers have limited knowledge about attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), despite its high prevalence in childhood and its long-term effects on students such as academic underachievement, reduced self-esteem, and social and behavioural difficulties. This study is therefore aimed at assessing the effect of an ADHD training program on the knowledge of ADHD among primary school teachers in Kaduna, Nigeria and their attitudes towards pupils with ADHD.

METHODS

This was a randomized controlled trial involving 84 primary school teachers in the intervention group and 75 teachers in the control group. Participants in the intervention group received an initial 3-h training with a one-and-a-half hour booster session 2 weeks later using the World Health Organisation MhGAP-IG module on behavioural disorders focusing on ADHD. Outcome measures were knowledge of ADHD, attitude towards ADHD, and knowledge of behavioural intervention.

RESULTS

Controlling for baseline scores, the intervention group had significantly higher post intervention scores on knowledge of ADHD, lower scores on attitude towards ADHD (i.e. less negative attitudes), and higher scores on knowledge of behavioural intervention compared with the control group respectively. The intervention showed moderate to large effect sizes. The booster training was associated with a further statistically significant increase in knowledge of ADHD only.

CONCLUSIONS

The training program significantly improved the knowledge and attitudes of the teachers in the intervention group towards ADHD. Considerations should be given to incorporating ADHD training programs into teacher-training curricula in Nigeria, with regular reinforcement through in-service training.

Are Schools Meeting the Needs of Students with ADHD?

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) can have a major impact on students’ functioning at school—academically and socially. This study examined parental perceptions of schools in relation to their understanding of ADHD, information provided and general support. Parents of consecutive children with ADHD seen at the Centre for Community Child Health, Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne completed a questionnaire that assessed their beliefs about ADHD and schools. Questionnaire data were obtained from 66 parents (43 mothers, 23 fathers) of patients aged from 6 to 19 years (M = 10.4). The results indicated that parents of children with ADHD perceive that teachers have inadequate understanding, and schools insufficient resources, to support their children’s special needs. Schools need more resources, and teachers need more training, to promote positive experiences and outcomes for children with ADHD.

Knowledge of attention/deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) – a comparison of pre-service teachers in primary and special education in Germany

<b>Background</b><br /> Given that the majority of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) attend regular classroom settings in Germany, it is necessary for teachers to be well prepared to provide these children appropriate care and education on the basis of accurate knowledge of ADHD. Pre-service teachers should have enough learning possibilities in their curriculum about ADHD. The purpose of this study was to investigate German pre-service teachers’ knowledge of ADHD by differentiating between their future school type, their study progress, their learning experiences, gender, and age.<br /> <br /> <b>Participants and procedure</b><br /> The participants were 234 pre-service teachers of the University of Leipzig, Germany. The survey instrument constructed by Lee (2015) was slightly modified for pre-service teachers, and consists of the three subscales: (a) characteristics of ADHD, (b) causes of ADHD, and (c) subtypes of ADHD.<br /> <br /> <b>Results</b><br /> Total accuracy of the knowledge of German pre-service teachers was 51.60%, inaccuracy was 21.60%, and no information was 25.80%. German pre-service teachers who majored in special education have a significantly higher accuracy rate than those who majored in primary education. The knowledge profiles consisting of total knowledge score and three domain-specific subscores can be explained significantly (ANOVAs) by the main effects and the interactions among the independent factors (a) future school type, (b) study progress, (c) experience by curriculum, and (d) personal experience. It was possible to discriminate significantly four pre-service teacher groups (differentiated by future school type and study progress) on the basis of their knowledge profiles by a discriminant analysis.<br /> <br /> <b>Conclusions</b><br /> Teachers are an important target group for ADHD research because they play a major role in early diagnosis of ADHD as well as supporting their development. During their education, pre-service teachers need to be prepared for dealing appropriately with ADHD children in the classroom. This study provides a basic investigation of German pre-service teachers’ needs of learning how to deal with ADHD children.

South African foundation phase teachers' perceptions of ADHD at private and public schools

This study investigated foundation phase teachers’ perceptions of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The teachers’ views on the aetiology, appropriate interventions and incidence rates of ADHD were examined. A total of 130 foundation phase teachers from mainstream private and public schools completed a self-developed questionnaire that had been piloted by the researchers. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the data, specifically to determine whether there were differences in responses between public and private school teachers. Thematic content analysis was used to identify the themes that emerged from the open-ended questions. It was found that the teachers had a limited understanding of ADHD, in terms of what it is as well as the aetiology. In addition, it emerged that medication was the preferred method of intervention despite the participants’ awareness of alternative intervention methods. A comparison of the private and public school teachers’ results indicated no significant difference in their perceptions regarding the aetiology, interventions or incidence rates of ADHD.

Teacher Attitudes Towards Students Who Exhibit ADHD-Type Behaviours

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, its diagnosis and its treatment have been controversial since the 1970s (Kean, 2012), with opinions differing with respect to the diagnostic process, whether it in fact exists, or if it is an excuse for poor parenting and teaching (Maras, Redmayne, Hall, Braithwaite, & Prior, 1997). There are currently few studies that directly examine demographic characteristics as an indicator of teacher knowledge of ADHD and their attitudes towards ADHD-type behaviours. In this pilot study of teachers in Sydney public schools, we examined teacher knowledge about ADHD, their attitudes towards students who exhibit behaviours associated with ADHD, and the impact of demographic characteristics on their opinions and attitudes. We set out to discover the levels of overall knowledge teachers possess regarding ADHD, the attitudes teachers hold towards ADHD and its associated inattentive/hyperactive behaviours, and if any demographic characteristics can predict these attitudes.

Exploratory factor analysis and multiple regression analysis were performed to establish the existence of groups of variables with respect to teacher knowledge of ADHD and teacher attitudes towards ADHD-type behaviours and any demographic predictors of teacher attitudes. Analysis showed that, overall, teachers exhibit an adequate (50–85% correct responses to knowledge test questions) knowledge of ADHD, but less sound knowledge in some areas than others, for example, aetiology. Analysis also demonstrated that there are some significant demographic predictors of teacher attitudes; however, further research is needed to verify these preliminary findings.

Increasing teachers' knowledge about ADHD and learning disorders: an investigation on the role of a psychoeducational intervention

OBJECTIVE

To investigate elementary school teachers' baseline knowledge about ADHD and learning disorders (LD) and the impact of a strategy to increase awareness of these disorders.

METHOD

A total of 37 teachers were selected from four elementary schools in the catchment area of the University Hospital, in Porto Alegre, Brazil. To evaluate teachers' knowledge, two self-report questionnaires about ADHD and LD were applied before and after an awareness program on these disorders.

RESULTS

The intervention significantly increased teachers' knowledge of both disorders, even after adjustment for confounding factors (p < .001). In the repeated measures ANCOVA, only teachers' previous knowledge of ADHD/LD (p < .001) was significant in predicting score change in knowledge before and after the intervention.

CONCLUSION

Results suggest the efficacy of a brief psychoeducational intervention program for increasing teacher awareness and knowledge about ADHD and LD. Future studies are warranted to confirm the efficacy and evaluate the long-term impact of this intervention.

Measuring teachers' knowledge of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: the MAE-TDAH Questionnaire

The lack of methodological rigor is frequent in most of instruments developed to assess the knowledge of teachers regarding Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The aim of this study was to develop a questionnaire, namely Questionnaire for the evaluation of teachers' knowledge of ADHD (MAE-TDAH), for measuring the level of knowledge about ADHD of infant and primary school teachers. A random sample of 526 teachers from 57 schools in the Autonomous Community of the Basque Country and Navarre was used for the analysis of the psychometric properties of the instrument. The participant teachers age range was between 22 and 65 (M = 42.59; SD = 10.89), and there were both generalist and specialized teachers. The measure showed a 4 factor structure (Etiology of ADHD, Symptoms/Diagnosis of ADHD, General information about ADHD and Treatment of ADHD) with adequate internal consistency (Omega values ranged between .83 and .91) and temporal stability indices (Spearman's Rho correlation values ranged between .62 and .79). Furthermore, evidence of convergent and external validity was obtained. Results suggest that the MAE-TDAH is a valid and reliable measure when it comes to evaluating teachers' level of knowledge of ADHD.

Searching for the best approach to assess teachers' perception of inattention and hyperactivity problems at school

Although major guidelines in the field and current diagnostic criteria clearly demand an assessment of children's attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms at school, few studies address the fundamental question of which is the best approach for clinicians to get this information from teachers. Three screening strategies for ADHD were applied to teachers of 247 third grade students. They were asked (1) an overt question about potential cases of ADHD in their classroom; (2) to complete a broad-band questionnaire assessing common child mental health problems; (3) to rate ADHD-specific symptoms in a narrow-band questionnaire. Based on the overt question, teachers identified one in five students (21.1 %) as having ADHD; 28 cases (11.3 %) were identified using standard cut-offs for the narrow-band, and 13 (5.3 %) using a standard threshold for the sub-scale of hyperactivity from the broad-band questionnaire. Agreement among strategies was low (k = 0.28). A subsample of students, clinically assessed to confirm screenings, showed modest agreement with final diagnosis. The narrow-band questionnaire had the best diagnostic performance. Multivariate analysis indicated that the presence of a comorbid externalizing disorder was the only variable associated with teachers' ascertainment of ADHD caseness or non-caseness. Choice of screening strategy significantly affects how teachers report on ADHD symptoms at school. The halo effect of externalizing behaviors impacts the correct identification of true cases of ADHD in the school setting. Clinicians can rely on narrow-band instruments like the SNAP-IV to get information on ADHD symptoms at school from teachers.

Stigmatization in teachers towards adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

OBJECTIVES

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is understood as a developmental disorder which shares common characteristics between childhood, adolescence and adulthood. However, ADHD is widely associated with misconceptions and misbeliefs which can lead to stigmatization. Teachers have an important role for the individual development as they accompany students for a long period of time. The aim of the present study was to explore stigmatizing attitudes in teachers towards adults with ADHD, thereby focusing on the developmental trajectory of the condition. Furthermore, it was aimed to identify factors contributing to prevention and intervention of stigmatization in ADHD.

METHODS

Stigma responses of 170 teachers and 170 comparison participants were measured and compared with a recently developed tool for the assessment of stigmatization towards adults with ADHD. Furthermore, the contribution of knowledge about ADHD and the frequency of contact with adults with ADHD to stigmatization were explored.

RESULTS

Teachers showed significantly less stigmatizing attitudes than comparison participants in various dimensions, including Reliability and Social Functioning, Malingering and Misuse of Medication and the total scale. With regard to teachers, frequency of contact with adults with ADHD was not related to stigma. However, knowledge about the disorder was negatively correlated with stigma in teachers, indicating lower expressed stigma with increasing knowledge about adult ADHD.

CONCLUSIONS

Teachers demonstrated more sensitized attitudes towards stigma in adults with ADHD than comparison participants. Since the present results indicate that knowledge about ADHD increase the sensitivity towards the disorder, special education programs for the community may have the potential to reduce stigmatization towards adults with ADHD. Possibilities for intervention strategies of stigmatization in educational settings were discussed.

Knowledge and attitudes about attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and its treatment: the views of children, adolescents, parents, teachers and healthcare professionals

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neuro-developmental disorder that causes controversy; this may have a negative effect on the ability of families, teachers and healthcare professionals to achieve shared understanding and goals. This article reviews recent research of the knowledge and attitudes of children, adolescents, parents, teachers, healthcare professionals and the public about ADHD. Findings suggest that misconceptions about ADHD persist, and children with ADHD and their parents report stigmatizing experiences. Educational interventions to improve the knowledge of teachers about ADHD appeared to be effective in the short term. Parents and professionals working together in the diagnosis and treatment of children with ADHD may have different views about their roles in the shared decision-making process. Studies have reported both similarities and differences in parents' and professionals' views about the effectiveness of treatments for ADHD, but all stakeholders supported the principles of information-sharing and working in partnership.

[Teachers and attention deficit and/or hyperactivity disorder: a pilot study on the situation of teachers in Tyrol]

BACKGROUND

Given the high prevalence of approximately 5% of Attention Deficit and/or Hyperactivity Disorder in children the level of knowledge of Tyrolean educators at selected educational institutions was examined.

METHODS

As part of the thesis of A. Aglan 170 questionnaires were distributed at selected Tyrolean schools from May to October 2010. The questionnaires were completed voluntarily and anonymously by educators working there and then turned in. The questionnaire consisted of 43 items and was evaluated by means of conventional statistical methods.

RESULTS

98 (58%) of the questionnaires sent out were returned. 93 questionnaires (55%) were evaluated using standard statistical methods. Teachers were well informed about generic aspects of Attention Deficit and/or Hyperactivity Disorder. Knowledge gaps could be identified regarding the underlying causes of the disorder and available treatment options. Teachers demonstrated great willingness to actively cooperate and to learn more about Attention Deficit and/or Hyperactivity Disorder through further education in order to improve the situation of all parties involved.

CONCLUSIONS

Lack of knowledge was found regarding the subtopics "causes of Attention Deficit and/or Hyperactivity Disorder" and "Treatment Options". The majority of the teachers would appreciate specialized training and is willing to adapt their lessons to the requirements of children, pupils and students affected by Attention Deficit and/or Hyperactivity Disorder.

Community Knowledge and Beliefs About ADHD

Accurate knowledge and positive attitudes within the community are important for the effective diagnosis, treatment and support of people with ADHD. Most previous research about knowledge and attitudes has focused only on professional groups and parents of children with ADHD. The aim of this study was to explore knowledge about ADHD characteristics and causes, and attitudes towards issues such as medication in the general population. Six hundred and forty-five members of the Australian community, all of whom were parents, completed a questionnaire. The findings showed that the core features of ADHD were well-known, but there were misconceptions and considerable uncertainty about many aspects. Most respondents failed to recognise the genetic basis of the disorder and its potentially lifelong nature. Fathers were less knowledgeable than mothers. Although most participants believed that ADHD is a genuine disorder and recognised the benefits of medication, the majority believed that it is diagnosed too frequently and that medication is prescribed too readily. The study concluded that, in many respects, the public is not well-informed about ADHD and suggested that the media may have an important role in enhancing community awareness of the disorder through responsible, sensitive and accurate reporting.

[Knowledge and beliefs of professional workers in education, health and social services towards ADHD]

This study aims at better understanding the knowledge and beliefs of professional workers in school, health and social service settings in Quebec regarding ADHD. The authors examine the important discrepancies identified by Cohen (1999) between identified standard practices in treating ADHD patients and practices used in Quebec. This situation could be linked to insufficient knowledge of workers or certain of their beliefs that oppose these practices and their reluctance to implement them in their environment. Two measurement scales were utilised : the Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Orientation Scale (ADHDOS, Couture, 2002) and the Survey of ADHD of Jerome and al. (1994). Results show among other things, that knowledge and beliefs vary according to professionals'background and training.