Invitation to Participate in Research: Black Mothers’ ADHD Experiences, Attitudes, and Support-Seeking Decisions

[CatherineMontgomery]

My name is Catherine, and I am a PhD student at Syracuse University. I would like to invite Black mothers/maternal figures of children with ADHD to participate in my paid research study! I hope to provide mothers with the opportunity to share their unique experiences with supporting their child with ADHD.

Please see my attached flyer for more information, and find out if you’re eligible here:

tinyurl.com/ADHDmother

[intentionalme]

Hi Catherine! I'm a black mother (46) with a son who's now 11. He does take medication so we're not eligible for your study for 2 reasons.I'm interested to know why the requirement of not being on medication is a parameter for your study? Being on medication does not resolve the issues with ADHD. It may and often does help but there are still alot of decisions and issues we (my son and I) deal with to help him be at his best each day/ week at school and at home.

Either way, I'd love to see the results of your research at some point. Please share with this community.

[CatherineMontgomery Researcher in reply to intentionalme]

Hello! Thank you for your comment and thoughtful question. I think that, based on what you have described, you likely have some great insight into appropriate ways to support your son with ADHD outside of medication treatment, which is a valuable perspective and one that I believe is important to capture. The reason for this particular inclusion criteria is that, despite increasing rates of diagnosis and treatment of ADHD in Black youth, Black parents are still less likely to access medication treatment (i.e., one half of the most evidence-based treatment) for their children. Through speaking to mothers who have chosen, at this time, not to use medication treatment, I hope that I can gain some insight into a) why they have chosen not to use medication, b) what they use instead of medication, and c) how satisfied they are with their chosen/available supports.

I hope that this answers your question, and I am more than happy to answer any additional questions that you have.

[intentionalme in reply to CatherineMontgomery]

It took about 2 years before I decided to use medication for my son after his diagnosis so I've been there. Definitely feel free to continue this dialog.

[Giggling]

Hello Catherine, I am a black mother with a biracial 7 year old son with ADHD, but he is also on medication; A decision his father and I made after lots of research and discussion.

I currently live in Canada so there are additional reasons we do not qualify for your study, however I too am interested in your findings.

All the best.

[CatherineMontgomery Researcher]

Thank you, Giggling! I appreciate your interest in my study, and I look forward to publishing my findings one day.