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1982). In a non-referred sample of boys and girls, the intensity of child behavior problems was negatively correlated with parental alliance regarding parenting issues (Bearss & Eyberg, 1998). In a sample of primarily boys, Reeves et al. (1987) found that fathers of children with Conduct Disorder, a severe form of Oppositional Defiant Disorder, were more likely to be alcoholic or have antisocial personality disorder than fathers of normal children.
Fathers of children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder have been found to differ from fathers of normal control children on a variety of characteristics, such as attention span (Alberts-Corush, Firestone, & Goodman, 1986), behavioral interactions (Tallmadge & Barkley, 1983), perceptions of parenting behavior and parental self-esteem (Margalit, 1985; Mash & Johnston, 1983), and expectations for future compliant child behavior (Sobol, Ashbourne, Earn, & Cunningham, 1989). In a sample of twins with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, high paternal criticism and high paternal malaise were associated with father ratings of their children's hyperactive behavior (Goodman & Stevenson, 1989). Additionally, Margalit (1985) found that life satisfaction of boys with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder was most strongly predicted by paternal support, followed by paternal discipline, paternal indulgence, and maternal support. Few differences in emotional functioning and psychological symptoms have been found between fathers of children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and fathers of normal control children (Cunningham, Benness, & Siegal, 1988; Reeves, Weey, Elkind, & Zametkin, 1987).