Health anxiety by proxy: exploring factors that influence parents' worries about their child's health.

Parental adverse childhood experiences have been associated with poorer health outcomes for children in the general population. This single-centre study examined the prevalence of parental adverse childhood experiences in a sample of young children with single ventricle CHD, the associations between parental adverse childhood experiences and child health outcomes, and the moderating effects of parental stress and social support on the relationship between parental adverse childhood experiences and child health outcomes. Parents (N = 72) responded to questionnaires assessing demographic characteristics, parental adverse childhood experiences, social support, and stress. Child health outcomes (hospital admissions, length of stay, missed appointments) were assessed via parent-report and medical record review. Half of parents (52.8%) endorsed exposure to at least one adverse childhood experience. In univariate analyses, children whose parents had a history of adverse childhood experiences were 1.78 times as likely to have more parent-reported hospital admissions (p = 0.002) and 2.22 times as likely to have more missed visits (p = 0.03) compared to children of parents without a history of adverse childhood experiences. Parental social support significantly moderated the relationship between parental adverse childhood experiences and total hospital length of stay (p = 0.03). Specifically, for each unit increase in parents' social support total score, parents with a history of adverse childhood experiences were likely to have an 83% reduction in their child's length of stay. Parental adverse childhood experiences may be associated with poorer single ventricle CHD outcomes. Strengthening parental social support may improve health outcomes for children with single ventricle CHD in the setting of pre-existing psychosocial risk.

The present study compared the moderating effect of social support on parental stress variables and mental health among three groups of parents: parents of HBV (Hepatitis B Virus) children who attended the special health kindergarten, parents of HBV children who stayed at home, and parents of healthy children who attended the ordinary kindergarten. These families resided in the city of Guangzhou.A set of questionnaires measuring parental stress and social support were given to the mothers after a one‐hour interview. Results showed that parents of HBV children were significantly more stressed and psychologically at risk than parents of healthy children. They also sought help from social resources more often than the parents of healthy children. Parents of healthy children who attended the ordinary kindergarten reported the highest levels of overall social support, i.e. the number of very close friends and relatives with whom they could form close emotional attachments. Although they reported a lower number of acquaintances available, they also reported the most satisfactory relationships with the support provided by their acquaintances, lower levels of stress, fewer somatic problems, more adequate general health, and more perceived meaning in life than did parents of HBV children, and social support is one of the main influences on stress or parental health. The findings call for further research to focus on parents' well‐being and social support that is helpful in addressing the needs of the family.

The aim of the present study was to compare the social support in parents of children with neurodevelopmental disorders. The sample consisted of 166 parents of children with neurodevelopmental disorders in Isfahan, Iran. Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey (MOS-SSS, Sherbourne and Stewart 1991) was used for measuring the availability of social support. The collected data were analyzed using two-way analysis of variance and multivariate analysis of variance. The results showed that there was no significant difference in social support scores between parents of children with neurodevelopmental disorders based on the type of child disorder and the gender of the parents (p > 0.05). The results also showed that there was no significant difference in the subscale of emotional/informational support, tangible support, and affectionate support between parents of children with neurodevelopmental disorders (p > 0.05) but in the one subscale (i.e. social interaction) parents of children with intellectual disability was significantly higher than parents of children with autism spectrum disorder and parents of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Moreover, The results showed that there was no significant difference in subscales of social support between parents of children with neurodevelopmental disorders based on the gender of the parents (p > 0.05). Therefore, according to the research findings, the design and implementation of support and educational programs for parents of children with neurodevelopmental disorders, especially in parents of children with ASD and ADHD, and to increase social interactions are essential and should be a priority in the programs of organizations providing psychological services.

Studies on parental smoking behavior have mostly been conducted for developed countries and show that current parental smoking is negatively associated with children's current health. Using four waves of a Chilean longitudinal survey (Encuesta de Protección Social), we estimate probit and ordinary least squares models relating parents' self-report of their children's current health status to several covariates, including current parental smoking status and change (transitions) in parental smoking status across the waves of the survey. The data were collected in the years 2004, 2006, 2009, and 2015. The working sample includes 25,052 observations. The study revealed that parents' self-report of their children's current health status is strongly associated with current and past parental smoking status. Parents who smoke have an increased 11.17% probability of reporting that their children are in fair, poor, or very poor health status, when compared to non-smoking parents. The effect is stronger if the smoker is the mother, and it is exacerbated if she is less educated or unemployed/inactive. In addition, quitting smoking has a significant positive effect on children's reported health status, which is greater if the mother quits smoking. Cessation among mothers who are unemployed or inactive is also associated with a more positive assessment of their children's health status. The findings suggest that cessation programs may have health benefits not only for smoking parents, but also for their children. Improving coverage or establishing a national cessation program may have important present and future effects on population health and well-being.

Background Few previous studies have examined Antonovsky's (1979, 1987) sense of coherence (SOC) in parents of young children with developmental disability (DD). This study explored relationships between parental stress, SOC, social support, and health in parents of preschool children with and without DD. A secondary aim was to explore the relevance of the SOC construct to parental adjustment.Method Data were analysed from 59 families with preschool children with DD and 45 families of typically developing preschoolers (children without DD) who completed the study questionnaire.Results Mothers and fathers of children with DD reported high levels of parenting stress, with 84% of mothers' and 67% of fathers' scores falling within the clinical range. Parents of children with DD consistently reported higher levels of parenting stress, weaker SOC, and, for mothers and parents in 2‐parent families, poorer health than parents of children without DD. Within families, mothers of children with DD reported poorer health, higher levels of parenting stress, and weaker SOC than their partners. There were no significant differences in reported health, parenting stress, or SOC between parents of children without DD.Conclusions The results supported previous findings on high levels of parental stress in parents of preschool children with DD. The weaker SOC of parents of children with DD is likely to be an indication of the pervasive impact on parents of their child's DD. These findings also indicated possible gender differences in parental adjustment to their child's DD. Overall, the findings of this study support the usefulness of SOC theory in understanding adaptation in parents of children with DD.

Lack of social support is a risk factor for symptom recurrence and poor prognosis for individuals with severe mental disorders. Compared to healthy populations, individuals with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder are more likely to perceive lower levels of social support. Evidence is needed on perceived social support in parents with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder and their co-parents. Based on data from a population-based cohort study, The Danish High Risk and Resilience Study - VIA 7, we compared perceived social support measured with The Social Provisions Scale (SPS) in parents with schizophrenia (n=148), their co-parents (n=157), parents with bipolar disorder (n=98), their co-parents (n=89), and control parents (n=359). We found lower levels of perceived social support in parents with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder compared with controls. Schizophrenia co-parents had lower levels of perceived social support compared to controls, but no difference was found between bipolar disorder co-parents and controls. Low levels of perceived social support for these parents may pose an additional risk factor for their offspring in addition to the effects of genetic risk. Our results may inform future intervention studies and highlight the need for support for families with parental schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.

A Comparison of Caregiving Burden and Social Support Levels of Parents of Children Undergoing Liver Transplant

ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the factors associated with parental burden among parents of children with food allergies (FA) in China.DesignCross-sectional study.SettingThe participants were recruited through the internet and one...

Parents of children with autism often have their own support needs. Informal social support can be an important component of managing parenting-related stressors. We know very little about the factors that lead to higher levels of perceived social support or the potential reciprocal relationship social support has with other factors in parents of children with autism. The current longitudinal study examined the reciprocal relations of perceived social support and parent stress and child behavior problems across a 1-year period, using three time points. There was remarkable stability in variables over time. Baseline perceived social support significantly predicted changes in child behavior and parent stress at the 6-month time point, but neither of those variables significantly predicted social support. This study adds to our understanding of social support and clarifies how perceived social support relates to other factors longitudinally.

The benefits of physical activity for mental health and well-being and the associations between parental mental health and children's mental health have been well established. These important issues tend to be examined separately however, and there is limited research on the associations between parent and child physical activity and mental health when all considered together. While family focused practice is recommended to provide support for parents who have mental health problems and their families and includes various components (such as psychoeducation, support for mental health and parenting), promoting physical activity for parents and children is not usually a core component of these interventions. The Northern Ireland Youth Wellbeing Survey aimed to provide estimates of the prevalence of mental health problems among children and young people. The survey also included questions about parental physical activity, parental mental health, and children's physical activity (for those aged 11-19 years). The main aim of the analysis reported in this article was to explore possible bivariate associations between parent and child physical activity and mental health and also explore these associations when all considered together. Participants were included in the analysis where there were completed interviews for the young person and one of their parents, and both young person and parent provided responses in relation to questions on weekly physical activity (n = 882). The findings highlight the positive associations between parental physical activity and parental mental health, and between children's physical activity and children's mental health. They also explore some of the more complex interactions between these four variables, which suggest that gender may also be an important consideration. There were significant associations between father's physical activity and son's mental health, and son's physical activity and father's mental health. These findings suggest that including support for parental physical activity and children's physical activity should be a routine component of family focused mental health interventions. It is important to acknowledge that there may be additional barriers to engaging in physical activity for families where a parent is experiencing mental health problems, and these should also be explored and addressed.

To compare parental adjustment, social support, and family functioning between families of children with neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1) and a group of demographically similar comparison families, and to examine the impact of disease severity. Questionnaires were completed at home by parents of 54 children with NF1 (54 mothers and 42 fathers) and 51 comparison children (49 mothers and 32 fathers). Few differences between groups were identified for parental distress, social support, or family environment. Greater neurological impairment in children with NF1 was associated with greater distress, more family conflict, less positive mealtime interactions, and less social support from the perspectives of mothers. Overall, parents of children with NF1 appear similar to parents of comparison children. Mothers who have children with NF1 characterized by greater neurological impairment may be at risk for more difficulties. Future work exploring long-term adjustment for these mothers as well as interventions to ameliorate any potential difficulties may be appropriate.

Aims: This study aims to analyze the relationship between the social support of parents and the preparedness for menarche in adolescents. Methods: This research uses quantitative research with a cross-sectional design. The study was conducted at the Islamic Centre Binbaz Elementary High School. The sample consisted of 50 respondents using the total sampling techniques. The instruments used were the social support questionnaire of parents and the preparedness for menarche. Bivariate analysis used the Spearman rho test. Result: Parental support for menstruation in the negative category of 31 people (62%) and preparedness for menarche in female adolescents is as high as 35 people (70%). There is a relationship between social support of parents with menarche readiness with a p-value of 0.024 and a correlation coefficient (r) of 0.320. Discussions: In reproductive health, especially regarding menarche, parents are expected to communicate better with their children about puberty issues, because it helps ensure healthy child sexuality. Focusing on building communication between parents and children, is an effective strategy for increasing overall support for children's health. Parental support in preparing children for menarche includes being an educator who provides complete and correct information about menstruation, maintaining hygiene during menstruation, and both physical and mental support when facing menarche. Conclusion: This research indicates a relationship between parental social support and readiness for menarche in adolescents, with a weak correlation level and a positive correlation. This means that adolescents who have high parental support have a higher preparedness for menarche.

Gadgets play a major role in the development of the times and help humans in completing all kinds of matters better. Starting from learning, looking for entertainment, to communicating with others. However, the impact of using this gadget too often is certainly not good, both for health and mental impact. The low level of social support received by parents of children who are addicted to gadgets is a trigger for parental depression at various levels and symptoms. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between social support and depression in parents who have children addicted to gadgets at Candimulyo Elementary School, Jombang Regency. The design of this study uses a cross-sectional design. The population in this study were all parents who had children at SDN 1 Candimulyo, Jombang Regency, as many as 160 people with a sampling technique using simple random sampling and a sample of 104 people. Data processing editing, coding, scoring, tabulating. The data analysis used was univariate and bivariate analysis with the Rank Spearman statistical test. with alpha (0.05). The results showed that almost half of the parents of addicted children received low social support, with a total of 36 people (34.6%), while almost half of the depression levels experienced major depression, with some 46 people (44.2%). The results of statistical tests using the Spearman Rank test obtained a value of p = 0.000, if α = 0.05 then p <α which means H1 is accepted. In conclusion, there is a relationship between social support and depression in parents who have children addicted to gadgets

The purpose of current study was to assess the relationship between parental stress, social support, and child behavior outcomes among single African American mothers. Mean differences and standard multiple regression analyses were employed to test the associations among parental stress, social support, and child behavior. Results indicated that parental stress and social support are related to internalized and externalized behaviors for African American children. Additionally, social support was found to moderate the relationship between parental stress and child behaviors. These results have implications for future research and interventions with single African American mothers and their children.

It is generally acknowledged that parent social support is an important target for intervention. To explore the specific needs of parents of young children with a significant cognitive and motor developmental delay (SDD), we aim to chart the sources and perceived sufficiency of the social support they receive. Within the context of a broader project, 42 parents of a young child with SDD filled out a questionnaire on contextual factors, including information on social support. The majority of parents reported to receive (more than) sufficient support. Insufficiency is primarily reported with regard to practical support. Apart from the partner, grandparents of the child were the most common source of support. This study confirms the importance of professional support and work-life balance within this specific target group. Specific attention for practical support needs seems warranted considering the high basic care needs of these children.