Life satisfaction, Meaning in life, and Stress perception in parenting of children with ADHD, before and after Equine-Facilitated intervention – The contribution of parent and child individual variables, optimism self-esteem and social support

Attention deficit disorder (ADHD) is a complex disorder, chronic and heterogeneous in brain, behavior and cognition, which affects approximately 5% of children of school age (American Psychiatric Association, 2013; Polanczyk, Willcutt, Salum, Kieling, & Rohde, 2014). This disorder causes difficulties in attention, concentration, learning and memory, as well as difficulties in the ability to process information. The disorder consists of problems within the control of impulses and regulates activity level. These problems are reflected in the child's impairment and his ability to control his behavior while doing daily chores and has implications in all aspects of the child's life and of immediate contact of the child's everyday environment where he grows and develops. Therefore, this disorder affects the child's surrounding and influenced by their response (Ramsay, 2010; Barkley, 2003; Shefler- Baserman & Benbenishty, 2012).

Studies emphasize the stress that parents of children with ADHD are exposed to and feelings of low self-worth, Burnout, dissatisfaction and depression (Anastopoulos, Barkley & Sheldon, 1996; Johnston& Mash, 2001). As well as the massive influence of characteristics of a child with ADHD to all the relationships in the family (Muñoz-Silva, Lago-Urbano, Sanchez-Garcia. 2017; Deault, 2009).

Therapeutic riding is one of the accepted methods for helping children with ADHD. It provides a framework that allows the child to recognize and understand emotions, develop empathy, sense of responsibility, ability to solve problems and build a relationship based on trust and confidence within its environment (Schultz, Remick-Barlow & Robbins, 2006). As such, this intervention may contribute to not only the child, but also to its surroundings. Most studies focus on the efficiency of riding therapy  as treatment  for  the child himself and almost no studies indicate  the contribution of therapy to the feelings of the  environment which is in contact with the child and especially the parents  feelings.

The current study conducted among 100 parents of children with ADHD that are treated with therapeutic riding. The purpose of this study was to examine, through questionnaires, which were filled by the parents, the socio demographic variables, personal characteristics (optimism, self-esteem) and social support, satisfaction with life, meaning in life, parenting and stress among these parents. In addition, the study also examined whether there is a change in various indicators before and after therapeutic riding therapy. Also conducted analyses of an open question about changes in the child because of therapeutic riding. To the quantitative findings were also ten interviews with parents whose children are diagnosed with ADHD and were treated with therapeutic riding.

The study findings suggest that there is s change in Stress perception   of the parents, in terms of the interaction with the child before and after intervention. In addition, the findings suggest that a complex set of variables predict the Stress perception, satisfaction with life and meaning in life. Among them, we can specify economic status and good health, self-esteem, optimism and social support. Quantitative findings in this study qualitative findings backed that underpins them. 

The importance of this research on the theoretical level is that it examines relationships between variables that haven't been explored, among parents of children with ADHD.  On the practical level this research can show how parents of children with ADHD perceive the importance of therapeutic riding, as an effective tool for intervention with their children. Mapping the variables, which contribute to life satisfaction, meaning in life and stress perception, may assist in planning appropriate interventions for parents as being the main factor in raising these kids.