An exploratory study of how parents experience and manage the behaviours associated with Oppositional Defiant Disorder

Abstract: Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) is a common diagnosis of children made by medical practitioners (Garcia & Petrovich, 2011; Gomez, Hafetz, & Gomez, 2013; Harvey, Metcalfe, Herbert & Fanton, 2011). ODD includes behaviour which is characterised as argumentative, defiant, hostile and disruptive; this behaviour is particularly acted out against authority figures (Burnette, 2013; Dunsmore, Booker, Ollendick, & Greene, 2016; Nassen et al., 2014). The behaviours expressed by children with ODD have the potential to greatly influence the parent-child relationship (Beernink, Swinkels, Jan Van der Gaag & Buitelaat, 2012; Booker, Ollendick, Dunsmore, & Greene, 2016; Mash & Wolfe, 2016). The behaviours associated with ODD can also impact on the socioemotional well-being of the child as a result of the conflict they experience with others (APA, 2013; Garcia & Petrovich, 2011; Vorster, 2012). A risk exists for a cycle to be created with a child and other systems within which he/she interacts, such as with teachers and peers (Garcia & Petrovich, 2011). In addition, the manner in which a parent manages ODD can have a great influence on the progression of the disorder (Timimi, 2005; Garcia & Petrovich, 2011)...M.A. (Clinical Social Work