The role of self-concept in understanding why people accept the diagnosis of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder

The attribution of problematic childhood behaviors such as impulsivity and hyperactivity to a medical condition known as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has a long history of controversy. Primarily the controversy centers around its validity as a medical condition with an identifiable causal physical pathology, and the subsequent choice of medication as a treatment. Given the controversy, parents are divided as to whether they accept or reject the ADHD diagnosis for their child's behaviour. It is therefore natural to ask what factors (both persona and environmental/social) influence a parent in their decision-making process. This paper considers parenting self-concept as an important factor that influences a parent's decision. While the importance of understanding parenting self-concept has been considered for parents of children assigned the ADHD diagnosis, research has been limited, due to a failure to adequately measure it. This research seeks to better understand the decision-making processes of parents with a child with ADHD, by conceptualizing parenting self-concept in terms of its multidimensional nature.