Childhood ADHD and treatment outcome: the role of maternal functioning

{BackgroundRelatively} little is known about the role of maternal functioning in terms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder ({ADHD}) symptoms, attachment style and resilience as predictive factors for treatment outcome when offspring are diagnosed with {ADHD}.{ObjectiveTo} investigate whether maternal functioning is associated with treatment outcome in children with {ADHD}.{MethodsThe} study formed part of a larger naturalistic observational study of children with {ADHD}. A battery of self-report measures was used to assess selected factors in maternal functioning at the point of referral (baseline data); adult {ADHD}-symptoms, adult attachment style and adult resilience. Associations between these domains and child treatment response were subsequently examined in a 1-year follow up.{ResultsMaternal} {ADHD}-symptoms and degree of resilience were significantly correlated to symptom reduction in offspring diagnosed with {ADHD}. However, the association between maternal attachment style and child treatment response as measured by the {ADHD}-{RS} did not reach statistical significance.{ConclusionTo} our knowledge, this is the first study to consider potential protective factors along with risk factors in maternal functioning and the impact on child treatment outcome. The study contributes to our knowledge of the potential role of maternal functioning in treatment outcome for children with {ADHD}.