Examined parenting stress associated with Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) and young children diagnosed with single, dual, or multiple disruptive behavior disorders. Participants were 92 clinic-referred children (2-8 yrs old) who were divided into the following diagnostic categories: ODD-only, AD/HD(attentiion deficit/hyperactivity disorder)-only, dual diagnosis (AD/HD and ODD), or multiple diagnosis (AD/HD, ODD, and Conduct Disorder). Multivariate analyses revealed significant group differences for the Parenting Stress Index Child domain and Total Stress scores, the Eyberg Child Behavior Inventory Problem and Intensity scores, and the Child Behavior Checklist Externalizing scores. Group differences were not significant for the Sutter-Eyberg School Behavior Inventory. In general, mothers of dual and multiple diagnosis children reported both a higher frequency of behavior problems and higher levels of child-related stress than mothers from both of the single diagnosis groups. Interestingly, mothers of AD/HD-only and ODD-only children did not differ in levels of child related stress. These results shed new light on the association between parenting stress and ODD and suggest that early identification and intervention are as important for ODD children as for AD/HD children.

Child Study Lab
Department of Clinical and Health Psychology
University of Florida
P.O. Box 100165
Gainesville, FL 32610
Phone (352) 265-0680 x 46878
E-mail: seyberg@hp.ufl.edu
© 2001 University of Florida
Last updated: March 07, 2006.