A crutch, a tool: How mothers and fathers of boys with ADHD experience and understand the work of Ritalin

This research study focuses on the social and relational dimensions of Ritalin use, from parents' perspectives. It explores parents' structural understandings of Ritalin (what does Ritalin do), as well as parents' perceptions of how Ritalin makes a difference to their sons, and to parents themselves. Sustained attention is given to the social and cultural scaffolding that supports and shapes parents' perceptions and experiences. Semi structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 25 mothers and 12 fathers of boys taking Ritalin for ADHD. Participants were recruited from a clinical population, and were Caucasian and middle to lower middle-class. Interviews were conducted using an amended version of the Zaltman Metaphor Elicitation Technique, a picture-based interviewing methodology. Analysis was performed using standard qualitative data analysis methods with particular attention to metaphorical representations of key themes.; I find that social and scientific biases against mothers of "problem" boys create a cultural context in which mothers are more likely than fathers to adopt a scientific framework for interpreting their sons' behaviors. Through this framework, a boy's problem behaviors are seen as evidence of biologically based disorder. In shaping the way mothers see their sons' behaviors, such a framework helps mothers see evidence of positive Ritalin effects and thereby reinforces the need for Ritalin. Seeing their sons through a biomedical framework has personal and social benefits and costs for mothers and sons. Mothers report feeling relieved of stress and mother-blame post-Ritalin. However, in an effort to be "better mothers," mothers tend to reinforce cultural prescriptions for male development that are potentially detrimental to young boys.; Fathers are less likely than mothers to adopt a scientific framework for interpreting their sons' behaviors, and they are also less likely to see behaviors as evidence of disorder. Many fathers identify with their sons' symptomatic behaviors. Fathers are less likely to see the range and quality of positive Ritalin effects than are mothers, and some fathers see their sons' need for Ritalin as a weakness. However, fathers tend to remain silent about their feelings of disappointment in their sons and in themselves, and tend not to interfere with Ritalin treatment.