The Role of Parent–Child Attachment and Sleep Hygiene in the Development of ADHD in Children

Abstract

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a multifactorial neurodevelopmental condition shaped by biological, environmental, and psychosocial influences. Beyond genetic vulnerability, emerging evidence highlights the developmental significance of contextual factors such as parent–child attachment, sleep hygiene, and emotional competence. This literature review synthesizes empirical findings examining how these three domains contribute to the development of ADHD in children. Understanding these mechanisms may help inform more comprehensive, family-centered approaches to ADHD prevention and management. Secure parent–child attachment was consistently associated with better emotional regulation, internalization of behavioral control, and reduced ADHD symptomatology, whereas maternal anxiety and low emotional availability were linked to greater symptom severity. Sleep hygiene also demonstrated a strong relationship with ADHD manifestations, with poor sleep routines, sleep disturbances, and inadequate sleep quality correlating with higher levels of inattention, hyperactivity, and emotional dysregulation. Interventions targeting sleep hygiene have been shown to improve both sleep and behavioral outcomes in ADHD populations. Furthermore, studies examining attachment and sleep jointly show that secure attachment promotes healthier sleep quality, and sleep quality partially mediates the relationship between attachment and well-being. In conclusion, the literature suggests that parent–child relational processes and sleep-related behaviors interact to shape self-regulatory development, which may influence ADHD symptoms.