Abstract:

Pupils with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are, according to several studies, at a higher risk of emotional disturbances and problems regarding to social relationships, which may lead to their worse mental health. The aim of the study is to evaluate the screening instrument of Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) for Slovak population as the instrument for assessment of pupils' mental health for teachers. Level of the problems in pupils with ADHD were compared with pupils of standard population. Sample consisted of 41 children with ADHD and 61 pupils of standard population at the same age. In all of the subscales (emotional symptoms, conduct problems, peer problems), which strongly associate with problems in emotional and social dimension, pupils with ADHD have achieved worse scores in comparison with pupils of standard population. In total score of difficulties, only 10 % of ADHD pupils had no problems, but 77,5 % of them are at the high substantial risk of clinically significant problems within mental health. However, one quarter of pupils of standard population seems to be also at a higher risk of mental health problems. One of the challenges for teachers in the future, is to be able to take into the account mental health problems of pupils in realization of educational activities with pupils also. The mental health as a useful concept is not established in the school practice yet, even there might be hypothesize strongly its impact on a school success, not only in pupils with ADHD, but also in pupils, who suffer in social, emotional or physical field as well. Early detection of pupils' mental health problems may lead to more effective interventions in educational practice.

Keywords:

Mental health, ADHD, emotional problem, Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire.