Date of Conferral

2019

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Psychology

Advisor

William B. Disch

Abstract

Attention/deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) affects a sizable number of children ages 4 to 17 and can be impairing into adulthood. Genetics are partly responsible, but research shows that psychosocial disparity and the interaction of select demographic factors significantly influence ADHD prevalence. There is limited research on the primary factors for an ADHD diagnosis in Hispanic elementary school-aged children. The purpose of this quantitative cross-sectional survey research was to determine the impact of disparity and interaction of psychosocial factors on an ADHD diagnosis. The research questions asked whether there was a relationship between the independent variables (mother's marital status, family income, insurance coverage, gender, age, Spanish spoken at home) and the dependent variable (an ADHD diagnosis) and whether the independent variables were predictive of an ADHD diagnosis. The theoretical framework was derived from Vygotsky and Bronfenbrenner who posited that an individual's culture influences development and a child's development is affected by the environment and external forces, respectively. Elementary school parents (N = 105) completed a self-administered survey to assess the independent variables' impact on an ADHD diagnosis. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square analysis, and binary logistic regression. Results showed males (23.8%) more likely than females to be diagnosed with ADHD. Results also found gender (p = .002) and age [X2(7) = 15.302, p = .032] to be significant overall, R2 = .31. These findings could result in positive social change by fostering awareness, early identification, and treatment of ADHD in Hispanic children and similar communities and may also decrease health care costs.

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