Exploring of Family Taekwondo and Attention Deficit Disorder

Christopher Michael Savard^a ; Glenda Black^a

aSchulich School of Education, Nipissing University, North bay, Ontario, Canada

Abstract

Purpose: This study explored the impact of family Taekwondo on the functioning of the family and child with Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), who were participating in Taekwondo. Design: A purposive sampling technique with snowballing was employed to help recruit the maximum number of participants from Taekwondo schools in southern Ontario. There was a collective case study design utilized. Method: This study employed semi-structured interviews with the child and parent who were participating in Taekwondo. Results: Data analysis revealed five distinct themes: improved school performance, strengthened family bonds, adoption of Taekwondo culture, perseverance despite challenges, and ADD/ADHD management skills. Practice Implications: The results of this study show that family Taekwondo can be a positive complementary therapy in addition to medical management with a psychiatrist or paediatrician. For nurses who work with families and children with ADHD, family Taekwondo may be a therapy that is considered to help support them. Strong parent-child relationships are paramount in outcomes for success in children with ADD/ADHD. For nurses and educators, a key message from this study is that it is not only the individual affected by ADD/ADHD but also the parents and siblings.

Keywords:

children, families, qualitative, martial arts, family Taekwondo

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