Research results for first ADHD global study of its kind

Titled ‘Understanding the “battleground” of homework and ADHD: A qualitative study of parents’ perspectives and experiences’, the research, led by Dr Blánaid Gavin (Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, School of Medicine, UCD), highlights the homework impact on children’s ages ranged from 6 to 17 and spanned from second year in primary school to final year of secondary school. 

Dr Gavin states, ''ADHD, which affects 5% of school students, is linked to negative educational experiences. Homework represents a particular challenge to many children with ADHD and their parents.  

Parents and children frequently describe homework as a daily ‘battleground’ in their home - leading to unnecessary upset, arguments and reduced learning, all of which can contribute to significant emotional and educational consequences.

This is the first study to directly explore parents’ experiences of the difficulties that this presents in the home. In this study, parents clearly identified a need for more understanding of ADHD in schools and highlighted a requirement for a differentiated approach to homework for children with ADHD. Interventions need to be developed to help parents with this challenging task.''

The research team included:

  • Elisha Minihan, UCD – Research Assistant, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University College, Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
  • Dr Ingrid Holme, BSc, Msc, PhD, College of Arts, Social Science and Celtic Studies, University of Galway
  • Prof Fiona McNicholas, Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, Children Hospital Ireland & Lucena Clinic, Chair Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, School of Medicine, UCD
  • Prof Gary O’Reilly Professor/Director of the Doctoral Training Programme in Clinical Psychology at University College Dublin and Principal Clinical Psychologist at Children’s Health Ireland.

Comprehensive research findings document - Battleground Homework ADHD NOSP Survey April 2022 

Additional findings were produced regarding systematic review the research topic - Parenting interventions ADHD and homework a systematic review (1)