To explore the relationship between maternal parenting styles and attention deficit hyperactivity in children from grades 4 to 6 in public primary schools, as well as the mediating role of children's self-concept. Methods Using the Parental Authority Questionnaire (PAQ) for mothers, the Children's Self-Concept Scale, and the Chinese version of the SNAP-IV parent rating scale, a survey was conducted among 309 children in grades 4 to 6. Results (1) Positive maternal parenting styles, such as emotional warmth and understanding, were significantly positively correlated with children's self-concept and negatively correlated with attention deficit hyperactivity. In contrast, negative parenting styles, including rejection and denial, punishment, and strictness, showed significant positive correlations with lower self-concept and higher attention deficit hyperactivity. (2) Children's self-concept partially mediated the effect of maternal emotional warmth and understanding on children's attention deficit hyperactivity. (3) There was a significant direct effect between maternal rejection, denial, punishment, and strictness parenting styles and children's attention deficit hyperactivity. Conclusion The study found that positive maternal parenting styles (emotional warmth and understanding) enhance children's self-concept and reduce attention deficit hyperactivity, whereas negative parenting styles (rejection, denial, punishment, and strictness) have opposite effects. Children's self-concept plays a mediating role between maternal parenting styles and attention behaviors. This suggests that positive maternal parenting is crucial for children's mental health, and mothers should be encouraged to adopt supportive rather than punitive parenting strategies to promote the comprehensive development of their children.