Mothers’ Lived Experiences of Their Child’s ADHD Diagnosis

An ADHD diagnosis in a child is a significant event that creates a caregiving burden for parents. This study examines the life changes experienced by mothers following their child's ADHD diagnosis from a transition perspective. The participants included 13 mothers of elementary school children receiving pharmacological treatment for ADHD. Data were collected through semi-structured in-depth interviews and analyzed using the constant comparative method. The findings reveal that mothers initially recognized their child's behavioral challenges but delayed seeking a diagnosis, leading to feelings of confusion and anxiety. While the diagnosis was expected, it served as an emotionally significant turning point. During the transition phase, mothers began to reinterpret their child's difficulties through the lens of ADHD, leading them to adjust their parenting strategies. In the subsequent adjustment phase, these changes were integrated and sustained in their daily lives. This study emphasized how mothers' experiences evolve over time, both before and after diagnosis, highlighting a dynamic, process-oriented trajectory of adaptation.