Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Thesis Format

Monograph

Degree

Master of Science

Program

Psychology

Supervisor

Morton, J. Bruce

Abstract

Undiagnosed ADHD is prevalent in the region where Trinidad & Tobago is situated. Children with ADHD are vulnerable to numerous negative outcomes. Parents and teachers are best positioned to identify ADHD-related behaviours in children but can only do so if they associate those behaviours with ADHD. This study investigates their perception of ADHD-related behaviours in children. It examines the hypothesis that these behaviours are more likely to be seen as issues of indiscipline and low motivation rather than a medical or psychological condition. Utilizing multilevel modelling, perceptions of ADHD-related behaviours in Trinidad & Tobago were compared to those in Canada, a country with a more medicalized view of ADHD. Findings indicate that Trinidad & Tobago had higher rates of perceiving ADHD as indiscipline or lack of motivation, which diminished when knowledge was included as a covariate. Targeted psychoeducation could significantly improve the accurate identification of ADHD in Trinidad & Tobago.

Summary for Lay Audience

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common mental health condition affecting children worldwide, characterized by symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. In the region where Trinidad & Tobago is located, there is a high rate of undiagnosed and undertreated ADHD, which can lead to significant challenges for children with the condition. Parents and teachers are usually the first to observe ADHD-related behaviours in children. This thesis aimed to understand how parents and teachers in Trinidad & Tobago perceive behaviors associated with ADHD.

The study focused on whether ADHD behaviors in Trinidad & Tobago are seen as problems of indiscipline and low motivation rather than medical or psychological issues requiring treatment. To explore this, a statistical approach called multilevel modelling was used, comparing perceptions in Trinidad & Tobago to those in Canada, where ADHD is more widely recognized as a medical condition.

The findings were quite revealing. In Trinidad & Tobago, parents and teachers were more likely to view ADHD-related behaviors as signs of indiscipline or a lack of motivation. However, this perception changed when the individuals' knowledge about ADHD was taken into account. When parents and teachers had more information about ADHD, they were less likely to see these behaviors as mere indiscipline or low motivation.

This research highlights a crucial insight: increasing awareness and understanding of ADHD among parents and teachers in Trinidad & Tobago can significantly improve how these behaviors are perceived and managed. By providing targeted education about ADHD, policymakers can help ensure that children exhibiting these behaviors receive the appropriate support and treatment they need. This, in turn, can help them succeed academically and socially, reducing the risk of long-term negative outcomes.

Additional Files
Perceptions of ADHD-Related Behaviours Canadian Survey.docx (82 kB)
Canadian survey instrument
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