Comparison of Social Capital, Social Competence, and Mental Health in Mothers of Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Mothers of Typically Developing Children

Objective: The aim of the present study was to compare social capital, social competence, and mental health in mothers of children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and mothers of typically developing children. Methods and Materials: The statistical population of this study included all mothers of children with ADHD aged 3 to 12 years, as well as mothers of typically developing children aged 3 to 12 years, in Babol during the 2021–2022 academic year. Two groups of mothers with children diagnosed with ADHD within the specified age range were selected for the study. Data collection instruments included the Social Capital Questionnaire by Rafiee et al. (2015), the Social Competence Scale by Felner (1990), and the General Health Questionnaire by Goldberg (1972). The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistical methods (t-test and multivariate analysis of variance) with SPSS version 26. Findings: The results indicated a significant difference between the two groups in terms of social capital, social competence, and mental health. Conclusion: Based on the findings, mothers of children with ADHD exhibit lower levels of social capital, social competence, and mental health compared to mothers of typically developing children. The effect size of this difference is greater in mental health and smallest in social competence.