Prevalence and Associated Factors of Depressive Symptoms Among Caregivers of Children and Adolescents with Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD)

Authors

  • Areeya Somboonkear Department of Psychiatry and Drug Dependence, Chonburi Hospital

Keywords:

Depression, ADHD caregivers, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Prevalence, PHQ-9

Abstract

Background: Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a common neurodevelopmental disorder in children and adolescents. Caregivers of affected individuals face persistent challenges in providing care, which may predispose them to mental health problems, particularly depression. Understanding the prevalence and associated factors of depression among caregivers is therefore essential for developing appropriate psychosocial support systems.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of depression and its associated factors among primary caregivers of children and adolescents diagnosed with ADHD at Chonburi Hospital.

Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 152 primary caregivers of children and adolescents with ADHD attending the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Outpatient Department, Chonburi Hospital, between April 2024 and October 2024. Data were collected using a general information questionnaire and the Thai version of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, and logistic regression.

Results: The prevalence of depression among caregivers was 25.00% (95% CI: 18.1–31.9), with 7.89% exhibiting moderate-to-severe Depression. Multivariable analysis identified the number of children under care as the only statistically significant factor; caregivers responsible for two or more children had 2.36 times higher odds of developing depression compared to those caring for a single child (Adjusted OR = 2.36, 95% CI: 1.02–5.46, p = 0.044). No other factors demonstrated statistically significant associations.

Conclusions: Caregivers of children and adolescents with ADHD have a markedly higher prevalence of depression than the general population, with caring for multiple children simultaneously identified as a key risk factor. Systematic depression screening and tailored psychosocial support programs targeting high-risk caregivers should be developed and implemented to improve the quality of life of both caregivers and patients.

References

Boon-yasidhi V. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Diagnosis and Management. J Psychiatr Assoc Thailand. 2012;57(4):373-86.

American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Washington, DC: Author; 2013.

Minichil W, Birhanu Z, Reta Y, Welu B, Workneh T, Fekadu H, et al. Depression and associated factors among primary caregivers of children and adolescents with mental illness in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. BMC Psychiatry. 2019; 19:249.

Liu TL, Hsiao RC, Chou WJ, Yen CF, Wang PW. Hopelessness in caregivers of children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: Associations with depression and anxiety and multidimensionally related factors. Journal of the Formosan Medical Association. 2023; 122:1158-64.

พร้อมพร วงศ์วัฒนฤกษ์, ศิริรัตน์ อุฬารตินนท์, ถิรพร ตังจิตติพร. ความคิดอัตโนมัติด้านลบที่สัมพันธ์กับภาวะซึมเศร้าในผู้ดูแลเด็กสมาธิสั้นที่คลินิกจิตเวชเด็กและวัยรุ่น สถาบันสุขภาพเด็กแห่งชาติมหาราชินี. วารสารกรมการแพทย์. 2562;44(3):93-9.

Elhadad AA. Case-control study of depression in mothers of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Egyptian Journal of Psychiatry. 2018; 39:100-4.

AL-Balushi N, Rahman MS, Al-Adawi S, Balushi AS, Al-Sibani N, AlHinai F, et al. Prevalence and predictors of depressive symptoms among caregivers of children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder attending a tertiary care facility: a cross-sectional analytical study from Muscat, Oman. Early Child Development and Care. 2017.

Penuelas-Calvo I, Palomar-Ciria N, Porras-Segovia A, Gomez E, Garcia-Rapp R, Diaz-Bodegas D, et al. Impact of ADHD symptoms on family functioning, family burden and parents' quality of life in a hospital area in Spain. The European Journal of Psychiatry. 2021; 35:166-2.

ภาระวี ชโลธร. ความชุกและปัจจัยที่เกี่ยวข้องกับภาวะซึมเศร้าในผู้ปกครองของผู้ป่วยสมาธิสั้นที่มารักษาในโรงพยาบาลเจ้าพระยายมราช. วารสารแพทย์เขต 4-5. 2564;40(3):429-38.

Chou WJ, Hsiao RC, Chang CC, Yen CF. Predictors of Depressive Symptoms in Caregivers of Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A One-Year Follow-Up Study. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021; 18:8835.

ปิยณัฐ สุวรรณโณ. ภาวะซึมเศร้าในผู้ปกครองผู้ป่วยจิตเวชเด็กและวัยรุ่น โรงพยาบาลสงขลา. วารสารสมาคมจิตแพทย์แห่งประเทศไทย. 2563;65(3):289-300.

เอกพลากร ไวจิตรประสาน, บรรณาธิการ. บทสรุปผู้บริหาร. ใน: รายงานการสำรวจสุขภาพประชาชนไทยโดยการตรวจร่างกาย ครั้งที่ 5 พ.ศ. 2557. นนทบุรี: สถาบันวิจัยระบบสาธารณสุข; 2559. หน้า 1-10.

Downloads

Published

2026-06-30

How to Cite

1.
Somboonkear A. Prevalence and Associated Factors of Depressive Symptoms Among Caregivers of Children and Adolescents with Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD). MNST Med J [internet]. 2026 Jun. 30 [cited 2026 Sep. 8];10(1):245-56. available from: https://he01.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/MNSTMedJ/article/view/289887