Coping Health Inventory For Parents Research Articles

Coping Strategies in Mothers of Children with Heart Defects: A Closer Look Into Spirituality and Internet Utilization

ABSTRACT. Parents of children with congenital heart defects (CHD) experience distinctive stressors while coping with their child's condition. Using a cross-sectional survey, the current study examined coping patterns, spirituality reliance, and Internet utilization for information seeking and support in mothers whose children have CHD. Mothers (N = 175) completed the Coping Health Inventory for Parents, which measures 3 coping patterns, and the Spiritual Insight and Behavioral Scale. They also reported on Internet use and answered 3 open-ended questions. Understanding the medical situation and communication with other parents was the most used coping pattern among study participants, while maintaining self-esteem and psychological stability was the least utilized pattern. Regression analyses revealed that higher spirituality reliance was contributing to effective family integration and optimism, while frequent Internet use was associated with better understanding the medical situation and communication. Recommendations for further research to understand the complexity of coping in mothers of children with CHD are presented. Implications for supportive interventions to promote effective coping strategies for mothers of children with heart defects are discussed.

A prospective study of anxiety, depression, and behavioral changes in the first year after a diagnosis of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a report from the Children's Oncology Group.

The authors prospectively assessed anxiety, depression, and behavior in children with standard-risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia (SR-ALL) during the first year of therapy and identified associated risk factors. A cohort study was performed of 159 children (aged 2 years-9.99 years) with SR-ALL who were enrolled on Children's Oncology Group protocol AALL0331 at 31 sites. Parents completed the Behavior Assessment System for Children, the General Functioning Scale of the Family Assessment Device, and the Coping Health Inventory for Parents at approximately 1, 6, and 12 months after diagnosis. Overall, mean scores for anxiety, depression, aggression, and hyperactivity were similar to population norms. However, more children scored in the at-risk/clinical range for depression than the expected 15% at 1 month (21.7%; P= .022), 6 months (28.6%; P< .001), and 12 months (21.1%; P= .032). For anxiety, more children scored in the at-risk/clinical range at 1 month (25.2% vs 15%; P= .001), but then reverted to expected levels. On adjusted analysis, unhealthy family functioning was found to be predictive of anxiety (odds ratio [OR], 2.24; P= .033) and depression (OR, 2.40; P= .008). Hispanic ethnicity was associated with anxiety (OR, 3.35; P= .009). Worse physical functioning (P= .049), unmarried parents (P= .017), and less reliance on social support (P= .004) were found to be associated with depression. Emotional distress at 1 month predicted anxiety (OR, 7.11; P= .002) and depression (OR, 3.31; P= .023) at 12 months. Anxiety is a significant problem in a subpopulation of patients with SR-ALL immediately after diagnosis, whereas depression remains a significant problem for at least 1 year. Children of Hispanic ethnicity or those with unhealthy family functioning may be particularly vulnerable. These data suggest that clinicians should screen for anxiety and depression throughout the first year of therapy.

Coping Patterns in Latino Families of Children With Asthma

Introduction Using the Coping Health Inventory for Parents (CHIP), this study examined coping behaviors in 26 Latino parents of children with asthma. Methods Correlations and t tests were used to look at variables related to the parents' coping patterns and to compare their frequency of usage of these patterns. Results The parents in this study were most likely to cope with their child's asthma by making active attempts to understand this condition, doing activities with family members, and maintaining an optimistic perspective. Child and family variables were not significantly associated with parents' usage of coping patterns. Discussion These results shed light on coping in Latino families of children with asthma and contribute to a growing framework of research and practice regarding health problems in this population. The aforementioned results can enhance health care professionals' understanding of the experiences of these families and help develop and expand culturally sensitive interventions to positively affect their health and psychological needs.

Spirituality as a Coping Resource for African American Parents of Chronically Ill Children

To examine spirituality as a coping resource for a sample of African American parents who have a child with a chronic condition. Descriptive correlation design with a sample of 168 African American parents. Parents completed a demographic questionnaire, the Coping Health Inventory for Parents (CHIP), the Family Crisis Oriented Personal Evaluation Scale (F-COPES), and the spirituality subscale of the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy Measurement System (FACIT-Sp-12). Data were analyzed with frequency distributions and Pearson product moment correlations. Most frequently reported positive coping patterns included "believing in God," "doing things with my children," "believing that my child is getting the best medical care," and "having faith in God." Most frequent coping resources included "having faith in God," "seeking information from the family doctor," and "showing that we are strong." Results revealed a significant positive correlation between positive parental coping patterns and spirituality. It is important for nurses to recognize ethnic and cultural aspects of coping and spirituality, and design and implement care measures that support spirituality among families with a child with special healthcare needs.

Dukungan Keluarga, Pengetahuan, dan Persepsi Ibu serta Hubungannya dengan Strategi Koping Ibu pada Anak dengan Gangguan Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

The objective of study was to understand family support, mother’s knowledge and perception of ASD and its association with coping strategy of mothers with ASD children. The study used a cross-sectional study design and conducted at Sekolah Khusus AL-IHSAN in Tangerang and in Cilegon, Banten. The samples of the study were 31 mothers with ASD children who were participated at AL-IHSAN and were available to be interviewed. The study conducted at February until May 2008 which included data collecting, data processing, and data analyzing. Instrumen used in the study was a modification of Coping Health Inventory for Parents (CHIP) by McCubbin and Patterson (1987). Data analyzing used was descriptive statistics, paired sample T-test, Rank-Spearman correlation, and Chi-Square. Result of the study showed that family support was considered as low (45,2%) and high or very high (54,8%). Mother’s knowledge mostly good, which classified as moderate and high (93,5%), while those classified as low was only 6,5%. In term of mother’s perception there were 45,2% mothers who still had negative perception toward ASD child. There was differences in term of coping mechanism strategy which was mostly to maintain family stability, optimism and cooperation at present, while before were mostly to seek assistance for medical treatment. The younger age of mothers and fathers, the stronger family support they received. Mother’s perception of ASD children tend to be positive when the age of ASD children is younger and the length of therapy is shorter. The characteristics of family, family support, mother’s knowledge, and perception of ASD children had no significant correlation with coping strategy used by mothers as their effort to reduce some pressures in taking care of ASD children.

Is parental coping associated with quality of life in juvenile idiopathic arthritis?

Parents of children with a chronic condition such as juvenile arthritis must cope with greater demands than those living with a healthy child. They must adopt different behaviours in order to lessen the impact on the family structure. Parental coping refers to the parent's specific cognitive and behavioural efforts to reduce or manage a demand on the family system. The aims of this study were: to describe coping in a cohort of parents of children with JIA; to determine whether quality of life is associated with parental coping; to explore whether socio-demographic factors such as child's age, family socioeconomic status and family structure are associated with parental coping. One hundred eighty-two parents caring for a child with JIA completed a postal survey at three times over a one-year period, which included the Juvenile Arthritis Quality of Life Questionnaire (JAQQ), the Coping Health Inventory for Parents (CHIP) and questionnaires describing socio-demographic characteristics. Linear mixed models were employed to analyse the association between the child's quality of life and parental coping. Mean total QoL scores (JAQQ) showed that children experienced difficulty in completing specified activities at most just below 25% of the time and results fall off slightly following the 6 month time point. Mean parental coping scores for the CHIP subscales at baseline were 38.4 ± 9.0, 33.4 ± 11.6, 16.5 ± 6.1, for Maintaining Family Integration (maximum score 57), Maintaining Social Support (maximum score 54) and Understanding the Medical Situation (maximum score 24), respectively. Understanding the Medical Situation was deemed most useful. The child's QoL was associated with parental coping. Parents of children with greater psychosocial dysfunction used more coping behaviours related to Understanding the Medical Situation (β coefficient, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.01, 1.45). These findings underscore the importance of helping parents of children with JIA better understand their child's medical situation.

The report of coping strategies and psychosocial adjustment in Korean mothers of children with cancer

Parents of children with cancer must cope with multiple challenges over time. As most research on parental coping has been conducted in Western countries, little information is available on the parental experience of coping in non-Western countries. Using a new cultural sample of Korean mothers, this study describes their coping strategies. In addition, the association of particular coping patterns with mothers' report of psychosocial adjustment is investigated. A total of 200 Korean mothers of children with cancer participated in the study. Coping strategies were measured by the Coping Health Inventory for Parents in the following three categories: Maintaining Family Integration and an Optimistic Outlook for the Situation, Seeking Social Support, and Seeking Information. Maternal psychosocial adjustment was measured by psychological distress, family relationship, and social relationship subscales from the Psychosocial Adjustment to Illness Scale. Korean mothers reported coping strategies related to Maintaining Family Integration and an Optimistic Outlook for the Situation as being most helpful. More frequent use of coping pattern, Maintaining Family Integration and an Optimistic Outlook for the Situation, and less frequent use of coping pattern, Information-Seeking were significantly associated with lower psychological distress and better family relationship after children's medical and maternal characteristics were controlled for. Coping pattern, Seeking Social Support was only predictive of social relationships. This study suggests that culture may play a significant role in the report of coping among Korean mothers. Future studies should consider culturally preferred coping methods and available resources as they relate to different adjustment outcomes.

Is parental coping associated with the level of function in children with physical disabilities?1

The objectives of this study are: (1) to describe parental coping in a cohort of children with physical disabilities (PDs); (2) to determine whether the child's level of function is associated with parental coping; and (3) to explore whether socio-demographic factors such as child's age, maternal education and family structure are associated with parental coping. Parents of 150 children with PDs were interviewed after being referred to community rehabilitation services. They answered the following: the Coping Health Inventory for Parents, the Functional Independence Measure for children (WeeFIM) and a study questionnaire that addressed socio-demographic characteristics. Multiple linear regression models were used to determine the association between level of function and other factors and parental coping. Mean (SD) age of the children was 40.9 (15.2) months and 64.7% were male. Parental coping scores, measured by the Coping Health Inventory for Parents, indicated that the parents in our study found seeking out social support from community resources useful. Parents of children with moderate to severe dysfunction in mobility (WeeFIM) found coping behaviours related to communicating with the healthcare professionals regarding their child's condition useful (beta coefficient, 2.07; 95% CI, 0.37, 3.78). Greater perceived usefulness of maintaining social support through community resources was associated with lower maternal education, working parents and two-parent families. These findings underscore the importance of helping parents of children with PDs maintain social support. It is important to help parents understand their child's medical situation, especially those whose children have more severe mobility dysfunction.

Coping-Health Inventory for Parents: Assessing Coping Among Iranian Parents in the Care of Children With Cancer and Introductory Development of an Adapted Iranian Coping-Health Inventory for Parents

The factorial structure of the Coping-Health Inventory for Parents (CHIP) instrument was investigated. Predictive, discriminative, and concurrent validity was also examined. A sample of 75 mothers and fathers in the care of adolescents diagnosed with cancer living in Iran completed the CHIP as part of a large battery of measures. Exploratoty factor analysis yielded a 13-item, 3-factor model that conceptually replicated the dimensional structure of the original CHIP instrument. The newly adapted scales predicted adolescents' psychological adjustment beyond religious coping and gender of parent, and differentially predicted adaptive and nonadaptive coping styles. The 3-factor adapted CHIP measure offers preliminary evidence for generalizability of the dimensional structure of the CHIP to the Iranian social and cultural situation.

An expanded Transactional Stress and Coping Model for siblings of children with sickle cell disease: family functioning and sibling coping, self‐efficacy and perceived social support

To investigate the application of an expanded Transactional Stress and Coping Model for the psychological adjustment of non-chronically ill, African-American siblings of children with sickle cell disease (SCD). Ninety-seven siblings (M = 11.24 years) from 65 families who care for a child with SCD participated. Primary caregivers completed the Coping Health Inventory for Parents, the Family Relations Scale and the Child Behaviour Checklist, while siblings completed the Kidcope, the Children's Self-Efficacy for Peer Interaction Scale, and the Social Support Scale for Children. Family processes were predictive of sibling adjustment, revealing that family coping, expressiveness and support improved adjustment, while family conflict predicted poor adjustment. Findings suggest that family-centered interventions stressing family expressiveness and support, while minimizing conflict, will contribute to sibling psychological adjustment.

Chronic Sorrow and Coping in Families of Children with Epilepsy

Epilepsy, a common problem in child neurology, affects the entire family. There is a potential for such psychosocial consequences as parental chronic sorrow and alterations in coping. In this study, 67 parents completed brief questionnaires about their sorrow and coping styles. Results demonstrated chronic sorrow as measured by the Adapted Burke Questionnaire (10.45 +/- 7.9). Interestingly, the total score was not significantly different between parents of children with refractory and nonrefractory epilepsy or parents of children with comorbid or without comorbid conditions. Selection of the individual item disbelief, however, was significantly increased in parents of children with nonrefractory epilepsy, and selection of the item anger was significantly increased in parents of children with comorbid conditions. Parental coping styles were similar to those reported in the normative data for the instrument used, the Coping Health Inventory for Parents (CHIP). The correlation between chronic sorrow and coping was significant between the grief component of sorrow and Coping Pattern II of the CHIP. Implications for practice include earlier identification of parental feelings of sorrow and coping styles, which may contribute to a positive outcome.

Influence of Caregiver Stress and Coping on Glycemic Control of Young Children With Diabetes

Introduction The purpose of this research was to examine the influence of caregiver stress, perceived stress and coping on home management and glycemic control of young children with type 1 diabetes. Method A correlational design of 73 conveniently sampled caregivers of children younger than 9 years of age receiving routine care in an urban hospital diabetes clinic completed the Problem Areas in Diabetes Survey, the Appraisal of Diabetes Scale, the Coping Health Inventory for Parents, and the Diabetes Self-Management Profile. Data were analyzed using Pearson product-moment correlation. Results Higher caregiver stress was associated with lower Hgb A 1c levels. Higher levels of home management were associated with lower Hgb A 1c. No significant relationship was noted between caregiver coping and home management. Discussion Caregivers managing their child’s type 1 diabetes rated themselves as having stress, and those able to maintain their child’s glycemic control indicated higher levels of perceived stress. It is essential that practitioners assess caregiver stress regardless of the child’s apparent glycemic control.

Boundary ambiguity, coping patterns and depression in mothers caring for children with epilepsy in Taiwan

A descriptive correlational study was designed to examine the relationships between boundary ambiguity, coping strategies and depression in mothers caring for children with epilepsy. A total of 316 mothers were recruited from three medical centers in Taiwan. A pilot study established the reliability and validity of the Chinese language version of the Coping Health Inventory for Parents (CHIP). Results showed that boundary ambiguity was negatively associated with the total score by CHIP for family coping patterns I and II. In addition, family coping patterns I, II, and III were negatively associated with depression in the mothers. These results provide insight into family stress management strategies that are unique to these mothers and are associated with the relationships between boundary ambiguity, family coping patterns and outcome. The results also suggest methods to improve family centered nursing intervention, which may help mothers to establish effective interactions with their epileptic children as well as develop for them effective coping patterns to manage family stress.

Description and adequacy of parental coping behaviours in childhood leukaemia

This investigation explored how parents perceived the child's leukaemia and how well coped with it. Forty-one mothers and 30 fathers recruited from the largest Hellenic paediatric hospital were asked to answer closed and open-ended questions and to complete the Coping Health Inventory for Parents [CHIP]. Most of the participants perceived the child's disease as a serious and threatening situation. The strategies aimed at maintaining family strength and an optimistic outlook were ranked as being the most helpful. Using specific criteria, it became evident that, overall, the subjects coped well. Neither gender nor spousal differences were found in the variables examined. Implications for health-related research, theory and practitioners are addressed.

Coping patterns in mothers/caregivers of children with chronic feeding problems

Introduction In this study, with use of the Coping Health Inventory for Parents (CHIP), coping behaviors were examined in 35 mothers/ caregivers of children with chronic feeding problems during hospitalization for treatment of these problems. Coping in families of children with these problems has not been addressed in research. This information is beneficial in planning and implementing treatment and follow-up services. Method Correlations and t tests were used to look at variables related to the mothers'/caregivers' coping patterns and to compare their frequency of usage of these patterns. Results The mothers/caregivers in this study were most likely to cope with their child's feeding problems by making active attempts to understand the problems and by doing activities with family members. Several child and family variables were significantly related to maternal coping patterns. Discussion These results suggest that it is important to provide a variety of resources to families of children with chronic feeding problems during their children's hospitalizations, including access to support and information groups. The results also suggest that it is beneficial for these families to acquire a thorough understanding of their child's medical situation because this understanding seems to help them in their ability to cope.

Parental coping with the diagnosis of childhood cancer: gender effects, dissimilarity within couples, and quality of life.

Considering coping as dynamic process within the family, effects of gender and diagnosis are investigated. Dissimilarity within couples in coping with childhood cancer is studied longitudinally in its effects on quality of life of mothers, fathers, and the sick children. A total of 108 parents out of 54 complete families participated in a prospective study. Twenty-five families had a child newly diagnosed with cancer, 29 families had a child newly diagnosed with juvenile diabetes or epilepsy. The Coping Health Inventory for Parents, the Trier Coping Scales, and the Ulm Quality-of-Life Inventory for Parents were employed 1-2 weeks after diagnosis and again 10-12 weeks after diagnosis. In face of childhood cancer, parents develop more rumination, defense, and information seeking, and less social support seeking strategies compared to the control group. Mothers report more frequent and more effective coping compared with fathers, but mothers and fathers do not differ in their self-reported quality of life. No convergence within couples could be demonstrated in most of the corresponding coping styles. The strongest correlation between mothers and fathers appeared in the religious coping style (r=0.60, p<0.001). Coping dissimilarity within couples in social support seeking and religion is correlated with an improvement of parental quality of life. Parental dissimilarity in information seeking is correlated with a decrease in the child's quality of life. Coping dissimilarities between fathers and mothers have differential effects on the family members. For this reason, psychosocial interventions should support dis-synchrony when it appears adaptive, and they should help parents to overcome those differences that negatively affect their child.

Effects of Stress-Point Intervention With Families of Repeatedly Hospitalized Children

Parents of repeatedly hospitalized children with chronic conditions are considered veterans of the health care system. Yet each hospitalization presents unique problems, can be more stressful, and has potential for lasting problems. A family-focused, supportive intervention, Stress-Point Intervention by Nurses (SPIN), was designed to reduce family problems. It was hypothesized that parents who participated in SPIN compared with those with usual care would have more satisfaction with family functioning and better parent coping after their children’s hospitalizations. A three-site clinical trial with random assignment of 23 ambulatory clinic nurses and their respective child-patients and families to experimental SPIN or usual care control groups was employed with 115 children aged 1 through 15. The Feetham Family Functioning Survey and Coping Health Inventory for Parents were completed before hospitalization and 3 months after discharge. SPIN parents were more satisfied with family functioning and had better parental coping after hospitalization than parents who received usual care.

Parents' attributions about childhood cancer: implications for relationships with medical staff.

Improvements in therapy have resulted in increasing numbers of children being successfully treated for cancer. However, the aggressiveness of therapy and uncertainty about prognosis are associated with many adverse effects, psychological as well as physical, for both the child and family. This study investigates family coping with treatment in relation to attributions about cause and responsibility for onset of the disease. We interviewed parents of 30 children with cancer (28 mothers and 23 fathers) about their attributions of causality, and perceptions of responsibility for the diagnosis and care of the child. Coping strategies which were found to be helpful were assessed using the Coping Health Inventory for Parents (CHIP). Fathers were more likely than mothers to accept that there was no known cause for the child's illness. Fathers who blamed doctors for failing to diagnose the condition found medical staff less helpful up to 2 years later. The theoretical importance of blaming others more than oneself is discussed, along with practical implications for services in paediatric oncology.

Caring for chronically ill children at home: factors that influence parents' coping.

This study examined 29 parents' perceptions of the stressfulness of copying with their chronically ill child's home care. The parents were primarily responsible for care regimes that represented a continuous range of caregiving burden. Data were obtained using the Clinician's Overall Burden Index (COBI) (Stein & Jessop, 1982), the Coping Health Inventory for Parents (CHIP) (McCubbin & Patterson, 1981), visual analogue scales, and home interviews with parents. Parents described many dimensions of caregiving burden. Increased caregiving burden was associated with greater stressfulness and the use of fewer helpful coping strategies. Three clusters of coping strategies were most helpful: (a) using family support, (b) maintaining a positive outlook, and (c) ensuring that care was performed. The need for a reconceptualization of caregiving burden is discussed.

Stress profiles for mothers and fathers of children with autism.

Stress profiles in 18 mothers vs 12 fathers of children with autism were compared on three measures, the Questionnaire on Resources and Stress, the Coping Health Inventory for Parents, and the Beck Depression Inventory. Mothers showed significantly more stress than fathers on each inventory, with a pattern suggesting stress may be related to the differing responsibility assigned to child rearing for each parent.