Preschool children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: Iranian fathers’ experiences

Introduction: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common disorders in children, but so far little attention has been paid to the fathers of these children and what they experience. This study aimed to provide a deeper understanding of life experiences of Iranian fathers with ADHD preschoolers.Materials and Methods: A qualitative design using phenomenological approach was chosen as the research method. It consisted of 9 fathers with 4-6 years old children suffering from ADHA, who were recruited through purposive sampling until saturation was reached. Information was collected through indepth interview. Colaizzi method was used to analyze the interviews.Results: The essential structure of fathers’ experiences was constant exposure to daily challenges , which included the following main categories: ups and downs of effective behavior management, dissatisfaction with mental health services, and undesirable interactions. Conclusion: Increased awareness about life experiences of fathers of ADHD preschoolers helps in orienting functions and providing support.