What question did this study set out to answer?

This study aims to assess the effects of ADHD treatment on children's symptoms and the quality of life of their caregivers.

April 5, 2026Open Access

The Effect of Treatment for Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder on Children's Symptoms and Caregivers' Quality of Life: A Prospective Study

Key Points

This study aims to assess the effects of ADHD treatment on children's symptoms and the quality of life of their caregivers.
Involved 100 newly diagnosed children aged 6-17 starting treatment and their 100 primary caregivers.
Children evaluated with the Conners’ Parent Rating Scale–Revised: Long Form.
Caregivers assessed using the SF-36 Scale, Hamilton Anxiety Scale, and Depression Scale.
Mental status examinations were conducted at treatment initiation and after three months.
Significant reduction in children's CPRS-RL scores after three months of treatment (z = -8.385, p < 0.001).
No significant difference in symptoms between those receiving stimulant and non-stimulant medications (p = 0.541).
Caregivers reported significant improvements in all SF-36 subdomains after three months (p < 0.001).
Significant QoL differences observed among caregiver groups based on children's ADHD subtype.

Abstract

Aim: Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) affects not only children’s mental health but also their parents’ psychological well-being. This study examined the impact of ADHD treatment on children’s symptoms and the quality of life (QoL) of their caregivers.Materials and Methods: The study involved 100 children aged 6 to 17 who were newly diagnosed with ADHD and starting treatment, along with their 100 primary caregivers. Children were evaluated usingthe Conners’ Parent Rating Scale–Revised: Long Form (CPRS-RL), while caregivers were assessed with the Short-Form 36 (SF-36) Scale, Hamilton Anxiety (HAM-A), and Depression (HAM-D) Scales. Mental status examinations and assessments were conducted at treatment initiation and repeated after three months.Results: A statistically significant reduction was observed in CPRS-RL scores after three months of treatment (z = -8.385, p 0.001). No significant difference was found in symptom reduction between those receiving stimulant versus non-stimulant medications (p = 0.541). Caregivers showed statistically significant improvements in all SF-36 subdomains after three months (p 0.001). When SF-36 score changes were compared according to the ADHD subtype of the children, significant differences remained between the inattentive and hyperactive (p 0.001), and inattentive and combined type groups (p 0.017), while no significant difference was observed between the hyperactive and combined type groups (p 0.017). No significant changes were found in caregivers’ HAM-A or HAM-D scores over the three months (p = 0.211 and p = 0.562, respectively).Conclusions: ADHD treatment—regardless of medication type—significantly reduces children’s symptom severity and improves caregivers’ QoL. Although anxiety and depression levels in caregivers remained unchanged, QoL improvements are likely due to symptom relief in children. Therefore, the early diagnosis of ADHD and the initiation of treatment as soon as possible are critically important for both reducing the symptoms in children and improving the QoL of their parents.

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