Hebrew University unveils intervention mapping protocol for ultra-Orthodox Jewish mothers of children with ADHD. The study identifies key determinants for health behavior change, addressing issues such as stigma reduction, increased ADHD knowledge, awareness of school system capabilities, advocacy skills enhancement, and maternal self-care. This pioneering approach not only provides a culturally relevant solution for the well-being of ultra-Orthodox Jewish mothers dealing with ADHD in their children but also sets a precedent for future research in creating tailored interventions for diverse and culturally specific communities.
In a pioneering initiative, researchers Prof. Adina Maeir and Phd. student Jennifer Budman at the School of Occupational Therapy at Hebrew University have developed a culturally sensitive psychological health promotion intervention for ultra-Orthodox Jewish mothers of children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The study, utilizing the Intervention Mapping protocol, sheds light on key determinants of health behavior change, addressing issues such as stigma reduction, increased knowledge about ADHD and its treatment, awareness of school systems’ capabilities, enhancement of advocacy skills, and maternal self-care.
ADHD is a prevalent neuro-developmental health condition affecting around 5%-7% children and adolescents, with its behavioral manifestations impacting family members, particularly mothers. The ultra-Orthodox Jewish (UOJ) community, experiencing global growth, poses unique challenges as its conservative nature often deters members from utilizing public mental health services, leading to potential negative health outcomes.
The intervention, developed through a mixed-method design, involved qualitative content analysis of four focus groups comprising 25 participants. The process integrated theoretical models for behavior change, including the Behavior Change Wheel’s COM-B system and the Theoretical Domains Framework. Additionally, literature on ADHD in both the general population and the ultra-Orthodox community informed the systematic derivation of intervention components.
Key intervention strategies include group settings, information on health consequences, social support, re-attribution, active learning, goal setting, and promoting an identity associated with the desired behavior change. Quantitative feedback from mothers confirmed the overall relevance, effectiveness, and appropriateness of the intervention, with Content Validity Index scores averaging .85, .86, and .87. These scores suggest a relatively high level of content validity for the intervention, as they are close to 1.
This new study not only provides a culturally relevant approach to addressing the psychological health of ultra-Orthodox Jewish mothers dealing with ADHD in their children but also sets a precedent for future research in developing tailored interventions for diverse and culturally specific communities.
The paper is titled “Development of a psychological health promotion intervention for ultra-orthodox Jewish mothers of children with ADHD using the intervention mapping protocol” and published in BMC Public Health – https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38424536/.
