Abstracts Social Work

The expression of frustration by the child with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder within the classroom setting : a social work study

by Claire Helen De Jager

The researcher aimed in this study to answer the research question: how is frustration expressed by the child with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in middle childhood within the classroom setting? The goal of the study was therefore to explore the expression of frustration in the child with ADHD in middle childhood within the classroom setting. The research population consisted of all children in middle childhood years who had been diagnosed with ADHD and were attending either Arthur Matthews or Montrose Primary Schools. The sampling method was purposive as subjects with these specific attributes were utilized. The extent of the investigation was limited to the observations of 20 children. The exploratory design was used in order to complete the empirical study. A checklist was used for the purpose of gathering data. This data was quantitative information on frustration expressed by children with ADHD in middle childhood, as observed by the researcher. Research results indicate that frustration plays a large role in the school life of a child diagnosed with ADHD. The findings also show that the child with ADHD directs much of his/her frustration towards him/herself. The research findings indicate that frustration that is not dealt with at an early stage will develop into aggression. In order to assist a child in dealing with his/her frustration, it is recommended that the child be taught coping mechanisms which assist him/her in ventilating frustration in a socially acceptable way. Further research into the effective implementation of teaching coping mechanisms to children in middle childhood with ADHD within the classroom setting is recommended.