[P2-13] Inattention is the Major Factor in Determining Children’s QOL and Self-Esteem
It is well known that QOL of children with ADHD is lower than that of typically developing children. Self-esteem is one of the components of QOL, and is also shown to be low in children with ADHD. Low-self esteem is considered to contribute to the development of comorbidities such as anxiety and conduct disorders.
In order to know the factors associated with low QOL and self-esteem among typically developing children, we conducted a longitudinal questionnaire survey among 93 five- and seven-years old children by asking their mothers to complete questionnaires composed of various scales measuring children’s self-esteem, QOL and other relevant factors including inattention, hyperactivity, sleep time, TV-Video watching time, parents’ QOL and demographic factors of mothers.
In regression analysis, parents’ QOL and inattention remained significant in predicting children’s QOL at both ages. Factors significantly predict children’s self-esteem were inattention at 5-years, and inattention, sleep time and academic performance at school at 7-years. Hyperactivity was not associated with QOL and self-esteem.
Our study indicated that not hyperactivity but inattention significantly lowered children’s self-esteem. Although factors influencing children’s QOL and self-esteem changed with age, inattention always remained as the major factor. Considering the continuous nature of inattention and hyperactivity between typically developing children and those with ADHD, our results suggested the importance of parental QOL in the management of children with ADHD.
In order to know the factors associated with low QOL and self-esteem among typically developing children, we conducted a longitudinal questionnaire survey among 93 five- and seven-years old children by asking their mothers to complete questionnaires composed of various scales measuring children’s self-esteem, QOL and other relevant factors including inattention, hyperactivity, sleep time, TV-Video watching time, parents’ QOL and demographic factors of mothers.
In regression analysis, parents’ QOL and inattention remained significant in predicting children’s QOL at both ages. Factors significantly predict children’s self-esteem were inattention at 5-years, and inattention, sleep time and academic performance at school at 7-years. Hyperactivity was not associated with QOL and self-esteem.
Our study indicated that not hyperactivity but inattention significantly lowered children’s self-esteem. Although factors influencing children’s QOL and self-esteem changed with age, inattention always remained as the major factor. Considering the continuous nature of inattention and hyperactivity between typically developing children and those with ADHD, our results suggested the importance of parental QOL in the management of children with ADHD.