Overview
The study aims to investigate the underlying mechanism between Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder traits (AD/HD traits) and psychological well-being through studying the role of perceived criticism, rejection sensitivity, self-compassion and growth mindset. It also aims to explore the effectiveness of self-compassion intervention on enhancing self-compassion and psychological well-being of children with AD/HD in Hong Kong. The study will contribute to the current understanding of the supportive measures for children with AD/HD, and hopefully help to mobilize more resources to preserve children with AD/HD's mental health.
The intervention program includes the following components:
Participants will be randomly assigned to the self-compassion intervention group or the waitlist control group. The intervention group consists of two parts: children training session and parent group sessions. All children participants will complete a total of 6 training sessions, and each session will last around 90 minutes. Parents of the children participants will also complete a total of 3 group sessions, and each session will last around 90 minutes.
To investigate the intervention effectiveness, children will be asked to complete a questionnaire assessing their levels of self-compassion, emotional regulation, as well as psychological well-being in terms of life satisfaction, positive and negative affect. Parents and teachers of participants will also be asked to complete a questionnaire covering children's emotional regulation, positive and negative affect. Questionnaire data collection will be conducted prior to the intervention (i.e., Time 1), immediately after the 6-session student and 3-session parent sessions (i.e., Time 2), and 2 months after the intervention (i.e., Time 3, a 2-month follow up). It takes approximately 20-30 minutes for children and parents to complete their questionnaires.
Study Objectives:
- To investigate the underlying mechanism of the relationship between AD/HD traits and psychological well-being
- To explore the effectiveness of self-compassion intervention on enhancing
self-compassion and psychological well-being of children with AD/HD in Hong Kong
- Hypotheses
- AD/HD traits negatively predicts psychological well-being
- AD/HD traits positively predicts perceived criticism or rejection sensitivity
- Perceived criticism or rejective sensitivity negatively predicts psychological well-being
- Perceived criticism or rejective sensitivity mediates the relationship between AD/HD traits and psychological well-being
- Self-compassion moderates the relationship between perceived criticism or rejection sensitivity and psychological well-being
- Growth mindset moderates the relationship between perceived criticism or rejection sensitivity and psychological well-being
- Children with AD/HD from self-compassion intervention group yield greater improvement in self-compassion, emotional regulation and psychological well-being, than waitlist-control group.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
- Upper primary students
- Clinical diagnosis, suspected cases of AD/HD, or having AD/HD symptoms
- Able to read, write and communicate in Chinese
Exclusion Criteria:
- Hearing, visual, or physical impairments that might hinder participation in the intervention
- Clinical diagnosis and suspected cases of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
- Prior or current participation in a psychotherapeutic treatment