AIMS. To determine the impact that children with ADHD-C (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, combined subtype) have on their family by analysing their parents’ perceptions, and to examine whether the presence of associated behavioural disorders affect that impact.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS Participants in the study included one group made up of the parents of 27 children with ADHD-C and another group consisting of the parents of 27 children without ADHD. The parents in the ADHD-C group were divided into two subgroups according to whether or not their children had an oppositional defiant disorder and/or a co-morbid conduct disorder (10 and 17 families, respectively). RESULTS AND

CONCLUSIONS The results of the analyses performed showed significant differences between the perceptions of the parents of the control children and those of the parents of children with ADHD-C in the following categories: feelings and attitudes, social life, matrimonial relationship, day-to-day relationships with peers and siblings, stress and difficulty in living with their child. Comparisons between the two subgroups of children with ADHD-C did not reveal any significant differences in any of the categories that were analysed, and showed ADHD-C to be the fundamental factor underlying the problems in the family context. Some items, however, suggested that the problem is more serious in the subtype with associated behavioural disorders.

Objetivos Conocer el impacto familiar que supone un niño con TDAH-C (trastorno por déficit de atención con hiperactividad, subtipo combinado), a partir del análisis de las percepciones de sus padres, y comprobar si los problemas de conducta asociados modulan dicho impacto.

Sujetos y métodos Participaron en el estudio un grupo formado por los padres de 27 niños con TDAH-C y otro por los padres de 27 niños sin TDAH. Los padres del grupo de TDAH-C se dividieron en dos subgrupos según la existencia o no de un trastorno negativista-desafiante y/o un trastorno disocial comórbidos (10 y 17 familias, respectivamente). Resultados y conclusiones. Los análisis realizados evidencian diferencias significativas entre las percepciones de los padres de niños controles y las de los padres de niños con TDAH-C en las categorías de sentimientos y actitudes, vida social, relación matrimonial, convivencia entre iguales y hermanos, estrés y dificultad de vivir con su hijo. Las comparaciones entre ambos subgrupos de niños con TDAH-C no arrojan diferencias significativas en ninguna de las categorías, y muestran el TDAH-C como el factor básico de los problemas en el contexto familiar. No obstante, algunos ítems apuntan una mayor gravedad en el subtipo con trastornos de conducta asociados.