Association between child ADHD and caregivers’ mental health and health-related quality of life: results from a population-based study

PURPOSE: To explore (1) the association between child attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)/ADHD symptoms and their caregivers’ health-related quality of life (HRQoL)/HRQoL dimensions and their mental health, and (2) the factors that may influence caregivers’ HRQoL. METHODS: Data were drawn from the population-based Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (LSAC) at the cross-sectional Child Health CheckPoint data collection. ADHD was parent-reported of the child’s ADHD diagnosis at 10–11 years. ADHD symptoms were measured using the Strengths and Difficulties inattention-hyperactivity subscale (e.g. score > 8). Caregivers’ HRQoL was measured using the Assessment of Quality of Life 8 Dimensions (AQoL-8D) at children aged 11–12 years. Caregivers’ mental health was measured using the Kessler 6. Multivariable linear regression analysis was used to estimate the association between children’s ADHD/ADHD symptoms and caregivers’ HRQoL and mental health. RESULTS: Child ADHD was associated with poorer caregivers’ mental health (mean difference = – 1.310, 95% CI − 2.439, − 0.181). Caregiver mental health attenuated the positive association between child ADHD and caregiver HRQoL (mean difference = 0.049, 95% CI − 0.008, 0.107). Child behavioural issues and financial hardship were associated with lower caregivers’ HRQoL, while high relationship quality or level of education was associated with better HRQoL. CONCLUSION: This study confirms the association between child ADHD and poor caregivers’ mental health, but not caregivers’ HRQoL, once caregivers’ mental health was accounted for. Child behavioural issues and financial hardship were associated with reduced caregivers’ HRQoL. Future policy or service development for families of children with ADHD may consider these factors in tandem with ADHD.