6.1 SUMMARY OF THE RESEARCH FINDINGS
An interpretive thematic analysis technique was employed to give meaning to the rich qualitative data collected. Dominant and / or recurrent themes, guided by the stated research questions, were identified across the semi-structured interviews conducted.
The discussion and analysis work towards responding to two specific research questions.
These are stated as:
1. What factors influence a parents’ decision making process when considering various treatment options for their child diagnosed with ADHD?
2. What factors motivate a parents’ decision to select and initiate psycho-stimulant medication as the primary method of treatment for their ADHD child?
An analysis of the transcribed interviews suggests that the factors that influence the decision making process include:
1. a) The knowledge parents have of ADHD as a disorder and the information sources parents draw on.
b) The substantial role the child’s teacher play in the initial identification of issues and in providing ongoing feedback as to the effectiveness of the treatment selected.
c) The extent to which parents either accept or reject their child’s ADHD diagnosis.
d) The beliefs, attitudes and perceptions parents hold regarding all aspects of ADHD.
Page 90 of 150
An analysis of the transcribed interviews suggests that the factors that motivate a parent to choose medication in treating their child diagnosed with ADHD include:
2. a) The limited selection of alternative products and supplements, the inconsistent results these alternative produce and the extent to which alternative treatment approaches are endorsed by medical professionals.
b) The faith parents have in the expert opinion of the prescribing doctor.
c) Feeling under pressure by teachers, doctors and peers to medicates.
d) A specific defining moment triggering a cue to action.
6.2 CONCLUSIONS
In light of the findings discussed the following conclusions can be stated:
There are many diverse factors that influence both the decision making process of parents as well as a definitive decision to choose psycho-stimulants as treatment from their ADHD child.
Parents make ADHD treatment decisions based on misinformation from unqualified sources.
Diagnosis of ADHD remains contentious as it is viewed as an observers’ interpretation of their experiences with the child. This raises questions as to ADHD possibly being incorrectly diagnosed and therefore unnecessarily treated with stimulant medication.
The beliefs, attitudes and perceptions parents hold of ADHD and its treatment options play a role their decision making process. These beliefs, attitudes and perceptions may be related to the misinformation parents have regarding aspects of ADHD.
There is no single factor that can be identified as a motivator to medicate.
Page 91 of 150
The decision to initiate stimulant treatment is both complicated and intricately related to the individual experiences parents have with their children, with their child’s doctor, with their child’s teacher and with alternative treatments.
6.3 CONTRIBUTIONS MADE BY THIS RESEARCH
This research is intended to offer a contribution within the area of better understanding the experiences of parents’ when faced with ADHD treatment decisions. In addition to this it offers a contribution in offering insight into the factors that motivate a decision to medicate. These areas are both substantially under researched.
Identifying and understanding the factors that motivate treatment decisions can assist physicians and other healthcare professionals in addressing the concerns parents have in managing ADHD. In addition to this, an awareness of the factors influencing parental decisions regarding medication magnifies the important role healthcare professionals have in providing accurate and current information to parents and families when they are faced with making decisions about treatment for their child with ADHD.
An important contribution of this research is to highlight the critical role information plays in many areas – not only in decision making but also as an influencing factor on beliefs, perceptions and attitudes.
Psycho-education, in relation to the stakeholders of diagnosing ADHD (psychiatrists, pediatricians, psychologists) as well as to parents and teachers, needs to be implemented and a follow up of its effects needs to be measured in relation to the findings of this study.
This research is also offered as a guide to parents to assist with exploring the complexities relating to ADHD treatment decision making.
6.4 LIMITATIONS OF THIS RESEARCH
It is acknowledged that the current sample is highly specific in terms of race, culture and socioeconomic status. An implication of this is that not all experiences may be similar with samples of different identity markers. For example: Jasmin Kooverjee (2006) investigated factors that mediate treatment adherence to psycho-stimulant therapy in treating ADHD. One of her findings was that due to homeopathic medication not being covered by medical aid, parents felt forced to use psycho-stimulants which are covered by medical aids – with homeopathic treatments costing the same, if not more than prescription medication yet not covered by medical aid, financial pressure meant opting for that which medical aid did cover.
Page 92 of 150
Cost of medication and finances were not identified as significant issues by the parents interviewed in this research.
Another limitation is that the small sample size and the qualitative nature of this research does not allow for generalizations to be made. This was however never the intention of this research but, as mentioned in the methodology chapter, more interviews could have been conducted.
6.5 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FUTURE RESEARCH
Current ADHD treatment research focuses largely on psycho-stimulants. Research exploring other medications, not stimulants, Strattera for example, and alternative treatment approaches should be undertaken as the lay persons knowledge of treatment is currently dominated by that of Ritalin and / or Concerta.
Longitudinal studies which incorporate the retrospective experiences of adults who were diagnosed ADHD and treated for the condition are in the minority. Retrospective, longitudinal studies would provide us with valuable insight into a many aspects of ADHD such as specific difficulties experienced, effects of treatment / non-treatment and hindsight recommendations.
Research into how best to provide parents and teachers with reliable, accurate information relating to ADHD is also highly recommended.
Page 93 of 150