ADHD : a grounded theory of Bangladeshi family workers' perspectives

• Main Author: Rosen-Webb, Jemma
• Published: University of East London 2005
• Subjects: 362.1989285894
• Online Access: http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.435677

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a psychiatric diagnosis which is characterised by hyperactive and impulsive behaviour and difficulties paying attention. The diagnosis has raised much discussion and debate over recent years. The dominant discourse is that ADHD is the result of 'faulty brain chemistry' and that the first line of treatment should be with psycho-stimulantm edication. Concerns about this perspective have been raised by clinical psychologists, social workers, psychiatrists and other mental health professionals. They highlight other factors which they feel are more likely to contribute to such behaviour e.g. relationships, society, parenting style. Furthermore ADHD has been criticised for being a cultural construct, based on Western values, and used to medicalise children. Most research into ADHD has been carried out on White populations in the United Kingdom and the United States. The rate of diagnosis has been rising in these and other Westernised countries e.g. Australia in recent years. The current research used a grounded theory methodology to explore views of a different cultural group, namely Bangladeshi family workers. The research aims were to gain an understanding of how such childhood behaviours were viewed by Bangladeshi workers and to explore ways of seeking and offering help. The results supported much of the current literature on ADHD, taken at its broadest level. Workers views are considered and their role as an interface between families and statutory services is discussed. Workers also discussed ways in which they engage parents and factors they felt acted as barriers to accessing statutory services.