OBSERVATIONS OF PARENT CHILD INTERACTIONS WITH HYPERACTIVE-CHILDREN - RESEARCH AND CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

This paper provides a review and summary of the functional relations and possible reciprocal effects that take place during interactions between Attention-Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) children and their parents. Following a general description of an interactional model, direct observation, medication, and parent training research involving ADHD children and their parents is reviewed. Results indicate that the behaviors emitted by ADHD children and their parents are consistent with Patterson's coercion theory. Medication and parent training may be effective because they both interrupt coercive interactions by lowering the base rate of aversive behaviors, consequently reducing the frequency of behaviors that are negatively reinforced by the discontinuation of aversive responses emitted by another person. A final section focuses on research design issues and implications for treatment. © 1991.