What is the level of evidence for the use of currently available technologies in facilitating the self-management of difficulties associated with ADHD in children and young people? A systematic review

A number of technologies to help self-manage Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children and young people (YP) have been developed. This review will assess the level of evidence for the use of such technologies. The review was undertaken in accordance with the general principles recommended in the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis. 7545 studies were screened. Fourteen studies of technology that aim to manage difficulties associated with ADHD in children and YP were included. Primary outcome measures were measures that assessed difficulties related to ADHD. Databases searched were MEDLINE, Web of Science (Core collection), CINAHL, the Cochrane Library, ProQuest ASSIA, PsycINFO and Scopus. The methodological quality of the studies was assessed. This review highlights the potential for the use of technology in paediatric ADHD self-management. However, it also demonstrates that current research lacks robustness; using small sample sizes, non-validated outcome measures and little psychoeducation component. Future research is required to investigate the value of technology in supporting children and YP with ADHD and a focus psychoeducation is needed

Internet-based therapies for child and adolescent emotional and behavioural problems

This chapter discusses the development and evaluation of Internet-delivered cognitive behavior therapy (ICBT) in the treatment of emotional and behavior disorders in children and adolescents. Although most evaluations of ICBT to date have focused on adults, the literature regarding its use with young people is rapidly expanding. Results thus far have been strongly encouraging, with many studies showing positive outcomes in terms of reduction in symptoms associated with a broad range of psychological disorders and in enhancing emotional well-being and psychosocial functioning. However, the research is still in its early stages and it is difficult to draw firm conclusions regarding the effectiveness of ICBT with young people. The wide variation in the way that ICBT is used also makes it hard to identify the most effective formats for treatment delivery, particularly in terms of level of therapist involvement, parent participation, group online interactivity, and type of Internet material. Despite these reservations, the evidence to date provides a strong case for continued research into the development and evaluation of ICBT approaches with young people in order to determine the most effective approaches. What is clear, however, is that young people find ICBT a very appropriate method of intervention. Nevertheless, one of the big challenges is to find methods of enhancing client engagement, motivation, and compliance with the therapy content

The use of social media as a mechanism of social support in parents

The increasing use of social media has changed communication habits among parents and provides the opportunity to access social support online. This paper explored parents’ use of different social media sources and examined potential factors that motivate parents’ use of social media for parenting support. A total of 523 parents completed the Australia-wide online survey. Results indicated that parents endorsed Facebook, parenting websites and blogs as the most frequently used social media sources. Getting specific information and advice were the top ranked reasons parents accessed social media for parenting purposes. A series of multiple regression analyses were conducted to investigate predictors of social media use (Model 1) and parents’ perceived level of online social support (Model 2). Analyses of Model 1 revealed that after controlling for demographic variables, parents’ social media use was predicted by internet self-efficacy, perceptions towards the social media and online support. Analyses of Model 2 revealed that after controlling for demographic variables, parents’ perceptions toward social media, and their use of social media predicted levels of online social support, such that the more parents used social media, the greater the online support they reported receiving. Child maladjustment and parenting self-efficacy did not predict either social media use or online social support. The results indicate that parents do use social media for parenting purposes, and that it can serve as a type of social support