Distress In Mothers Of Children Research Articles

Insights into the emotional grounds of diverse parenting experiences: risk and protective factors of psychological distress in mothers of children with autism, Down syndrome, and typical development

Objectives The present study aimed to investigate the role of parental self-efficacy, parental stress, perceived child performance, perceived medical support, and perceived social support in predicting psychological distress among mothers of typical children, children diagnosed with ASD, and children diagnosed with Down syndrome. Methods The sample consisted of 375 Romanian mothers (age range: 22 to 67, M = 40.35, SD = 7.64) of children with autism (N = 134), Down syndrome (N = 78), or no diagnosis, i.e. typical children (N = 163). Participants completed self-reporting scales measuring the variables of interest using a web-based approach. Results The findings indicated that, regardless of the mother’s status (child with autism/Down syndrome/no diagnosis), psychological distress was significantly predicted by parental stress. Also, the mothers of children with ASD reported significantly higher psychological distress than those of children diagnosed with Down syndrome. Conclusions Mothers of children diagnosed with ASD might be particularly vulnerable to experiencing significant levels of psychological distress. In this regard, the development of parental self-efficacy and reduction of parental stress through interventions might contribute to improving the mental well-being of parents of children with special needs.

Prevalence Of Psychological Distress At Different Stages Of Caregiving Trajectory Among Mothers Of Children With Neurodevelopmental Disorders In India: A Case-Control Study

Children with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD) such as autism spectrum disorders (ASD), intellectual disability (ID) requires constant support and care. In most cases mothers are the primary caregivers for the children with NDD. Due to constant and prolonged caregiving, they may experience or develop psychological distress. However, the prevalence of psychological distress among the mothers of children with NDD particularly in India remains understudied. In this study, we aimed at deriving the prevalence rate of psychological distress among these mothers and also to study the differences in psychological distress in mothers of children with NDD, mothers of typically developing child (TD), mothers of children with NDD who are at different stages of caregiving trajectory and also based on other demographic characteristics. A total of 204 participants who met the recruitment criteria for the study were assessed using General Health Questionnaire -28. The participants were grouped on the basis of their child diagnosis, the group size are as follows: n1 (ASD) = 51, n2 (ID) = 53, n3 (TD) = 100. The control group i.e., mothers of typically developing children were socio-demographically matched (in terms of mother’s age, child age). The findings revealed no significant differences in the scores of GHQ among the mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability, yet it indicated higher level of prevalence rates of psychological distress for mothers with ASD than ID. As hypothesized, there were significant differences in psychological distress among mothers of children with NDD and typically developing children. Also, younger mothers and mothers caring for younger children were experiencing marked level of psychological distress. The implications are discussed in the light of policy making, shift in treatment approach involving family-based interventions etc.,

The spectrum of attitudes towards the spectrum of autism and its relationship to psychological distress in mothers of children with autism.

Mothers of children on the autism spectrum experience high levels of emotional distress. Mothers cope with stress by having their own thoughts and opinions about their children. In this study, we tested whether the way mothers perceive autism may contribute to the level of distress they feel. Some mothers see autism as a developmental disorder that needs to be cured, but some see autism as a type of mind that needs to be accepted. Our findings showed that mothers who see autism more as a type of mind are generally less stressed. But we also showed that it matters how severe are the child's symptoms, and how heavy was the perceived burden of caring for the child. These results imply that it is worth working on attitudes towards autism to help mothers cope better. But at the same time, we argue that mothers should not be judged for their perceptions of autism, as there is a huge spectrum of a child's characteristics and family's life circumstances.

The Effect of Cognitive-emotional Intervention on Psychological Distress in Mothers of Children with Cancer

Background: It is important to address the problems of parents of children with cancer to reduce the negative consequences, especially in mothers as primary caregivers. Objectives: The present study aimed to determine the effect of cognitive-emotional intervention on the psychological distress of mothers of children with cancer in the chemotherapy ward. Methods: This randomized clinical trial was conducted on 100 mothers of children with cancer who presented to the chemotherapy ward of the hospitals affiliated to Zahedan University of Medical Sciences in 2018. The eligible mothers were chosen conveniently and then randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. Mothers in the intervention group received five sessions of cognitive-emotional intervention, two sessions per week. Each session took about 60 to 90 minutes on average per group. Before and sixteen weeks after the end of the intervention, data were collected using the Kessler Psychological Distress scale (K-10). The data were analyzed using SPSS 21 utilizing statistical tests, including independent and paired t-tests, Chi-square, and covariance analysis. Results: Although there was no difference in the mean score of psychological distress before the intervention (P = 0.5), but the results showed that the mean score of psychological distress of mothers of children with cancer after cognitive-emotional intervention was significantly lower in the intervention group (6.16 ± 3.40) than the control group (16.84 ± 6.67) (P = 0.001). Conclusions: Cognitive-emotional intervention had a significant positive effect on reducing psychological distress in mothers of children with cancer. Such interventions are recommended for parents, especially mothers in the chemotherapy ward.

The Effectiveness of Resilience Training on Positive and Negative Affect and Reduction of Psychological Distress in Mothers of Children With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Background and Aim: This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of resiliency training on positive and negative affect and reduce the psychological distress in mothers of children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Methods & Materials: The research method was semi-experimental with and pre-test, post-test design with the control group. The statistical population of this study included all mothers of children with ADHD in Tabriz in 2020, among which 30 were selected by convenience sampling method, were randomly assigned to experimental, and control groups. The research tools included the Positive and Negative Affect Scale and Anxiety, Depression, and Stress Questionnaires. Ethical Considerations: The Ethics Committee of the Islamic Azad University of Tabriz Branch approved this study (Code: IR.IAU.TABRIZ.REC.1398.062). Results: The results of 9 sessions with 90 minutes of group resilience training (taken from Henderson & Milstein, 2003) showed that resiliency training leads to an increase in positive affect and a decrease in negative affect, as well as a decrease in psychological distress in mothers of children with ADHD. Conclusion: These results suggest that resiliency education can be effective as an educational-therapeutic approach to increase positive emotions and decrease negative emotions and mental disorders in mothers of children with childhood disorders.

فاعلية برنامج علاجى فى تخفيف الکدر النفسى لدى عينة من أمهات أطفال الأوتيزم

هدف البحث الحالى إلى التعرف على فاعلية برنامج علاجى فى تخفيف الکدر النفسى لدى عينة من أمهات أطفال الأوتيزم, تکونت عينة البحث من (خمسة) من أمهات أطفال الأوتيزم تعانين من الکدر النفسى وفقا لدرجاتهن على مقياس الکدر النفسى لدى أمهات أطفال الأوتيزم (إعداد/ الباحث)، وتراوحت أعمارهن ما بين (22-33) عاما بمتوسط عمرى قدره (26.8) عاما, وانحراف معيارى قدره (4.49), ويحصل أطفالهن على درجات مرتفعة على قائمة المظاهر السلوکية لأطفال الأوتيزم إعداد / هشام الخولى(2018). وأبانت نتائج البحث وجود فرق دال إحصائيا بين متوسطى رتب درجات القياسين القبلى والبعدى على مقياس الکدر النفسى لدى أمهات أطفال الأوتيزم لصالح القياس البعدى, وعدم وجود فرق دال إحصائيا بين متوسطى رتب درجات القياسين البعدى والتتبعى على مقياس الکدر النفسى لدى أمهات أطفال الأوتيزم. The Effectiveness of a Treatment Program on Reducing Psychological Distress in Mothers of Children with Autism Prepared by Abdul-Aziz Mohamed Abdul-Aziz PhD researcher Abstract: The current research aimed to identify the effectiveness of a Treatment Program on Reducing Psychological Distress in Mothers of Children with Autism. The research sample consisted of (five) mothers of Children with Autism who suffer from psychological distress according to their grades on the scale of psychological distress among mothers of children with Autism (preparation / researcher), and their ages ranged between (22-33) years with an average age of (26.8) years, a standard deviation of (4.49), and their children get high marks on the list of behavioral manifestations of children with autism by Hisham El-Khouly, 2018). The results of the research showed that there was a statistically significant difference between the average scores of the pre and post measurements on the psychological distress scale among mothers of children with autism in favoring the post assessment, and the absence of a statistically significant difference between the average scores of the pre-and-post measurements on the psychological distress scale among mothers of children with autism.

Preterm Birth and Maternal Mental Health: Longitudinal Trajectories and Predictors.

To examine trajectories of psychological distress in mothers of children born very preterm (VPT, <30 weeks gestation) and full term from 2 to 13 years after the birth, and examine predictors of maternal psychological distress over time within the VPT group. Mothers of children born VPT (n = 159) and full term (n = 71) completed questionnaires assessing their psychological distress when their child was 2, 7, and 13 years of age. Mixed models were used to examine differences between groups in maternal psychological distress over time. Family social risk, child neonatal medial risk, child sex, multiple pregnancy, and child's neurodevelopmental impairment in early childhood were examined as potential predictors of maternal psychological distress within the VPT group. Mothers of children born VPT displayed elevated psychological distress compared with mothers of full-term children, and this difference was consistent over time. Higher family social risk was associated with elevated maternal psychological distress throughout childhood across all time-points. There was evidence that mothers of children at higher neonatal medical risk displayed increasing psychological distress over time. Mothers of children born VPT show prolonged psychological distress. Mothers from socially disadvantaged background and those whose child has neonatal medical complications may require extensive support to prevent prolonged psychological distress and promote optimal outcomes for children and families.

Problem-solving skills training for mothers of children recently diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder: A pilot feasibility study.

Problem-solving skills training is an intervention designed to teach coping skills that has shown to decrease negative affectivity (depressive symptoms, negative mood, and post-traumatic stress symptoms) in mothers of children with cancer. The objective of this study was to see whether mothers of children recently diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder would be receptive to receiving problem-solving skills training (feasibility trial). Participants were recruited from a local outpatient developmental clinic that is part of a university department of pediatrics. Participants were to receive eight 1-h sessions of problem-solving skills training and were asked to complete assessments prior to beginning problem-solving skills training (T1), immediately after intervention (T2), and 3 months after T2 (T3). Outcome measures assessed problem-solving skills and negative affectivity (i.e. distress). In total, 30 mothers were approached and 24 agreed to participate (80.0%). Of them, 17 mothers completed problem-solving skills training (retention rate: 70.8%). Mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder who completed problem-solving skills training had significant decreases in negative affectivity and increases in problem-solving skills. A comparison to mothers of children with cancer shows that mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder displayed similar levels of depressive symptoms but less negative mood and fewer symptoms of post-traumatic stress. Data suggest that problem-solving skills training may be an effective way to alleviate distress in mothers of children recently diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Data also suggest that mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder were moderately receptive to receiving problem-solving skills training. Implications are that problem-solving skills training may be beneficial to parents of children with autism spectrum disorder; modifications to improve retention rates are suggested.

Posttraumatic Growth Characteristics and Distress in Mothers of Children with Cancer

Purpose: The aim of this study was to understand distress and posttraumatic growth (PTG) in mothers of children with cancer. Methods: The data were collected through self-reported questionnaires completed by 222 mothers of children with cancer who had visited the hospital between 9th August and 17th September 2013. Results: The results showed high distress both currently and at diagnosis in the majority of respondents. Analysis of the effects of general characteristics on PTG revealed that religious respondents, or those with considerable religious influence, had higher PTG. PTG was also higher in participants with 2 or more children, and for whom the patient was the second-born or later. There were no significant differences in PTG according to either the mother’s characteristics (age, level of education, employment status, and burden of medical care costs) or the patient’s characteristics (age, gender, birth order, diagnosis, duration of disease, and recurrence). Conclusion: The results of this study allowed a balanced observation of both positive and negative psychological states, such as distress and PTG, in mothers of children with cancer. These study findings may be useful foundation data for development of interventions to promote PTG.

Spiritual Interventions and Distress in Mothers of Children with Cancer

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of spiritual interventions in reducing distress in mothers of children with cancer. In a quasi-experimental study 12 mothers of children with cancer aged between 19 to 50 years old were selected and studied within six 90-minute group sessions in a spiritual intervention based program. Participants in a program based on repeated measures were tested in the first, third, sixth sessions and then 3 weeks after the last session (follow-up) with a Scale of Subjective Units of Distress (SUD). The results of repeated measures show that spiritual intervention improves distress of mothers of children with cancer in post-test phase and this increase remains sustained until follow-up.

Reducing distress in mothers of children with autism and other disabilities: a randomized trial.

Compared with other parents, mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder or other neurodevelopmental disabilities experience more stress, illness, and psychiatric problems. Although the cumulative stress and disease burden of these mothers is exceptionally high, and associated with poorer outcomes in children, policies and practices primarily serve the identified child with disabilities. A total of 243 mothers of children with disabilities were consented and randomized into either Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (mindfulness practice) or Positive Adult Development (positive psychology practice). Well-trained, supervised peer mentors led 6 weeks of group treatments in 1.5-hour weekly sessions, assessing mothers 6 times before, during, and up to 6 months after treatment. Mothers had children with autism (65%) or other disabilities (35%). At baseline, 85% of this community sample had significantly elevated stress, 48% were clinically depressed, and 41% had anxiety disorders. Using slopes-as-outcomes, mixed random effects models, both treatments led to significant reductions in stress, depression, and anxiety, and improved sleep and life satisfaction, with large effects in depression and anxiety. Mothers in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction versus Positive Adult Development had greater improvements in anxiety, depression, sleep, and well-being. Mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder improved less in anxiety, but did not otherwise differ from their counterparts. Future studies are warranted on how trained mentors and professionals can address the unmet mental health needs of mothers of children with developmental disabilities. Doing so improves maternal well-being and furthers their long-term caregiving of children with complex developmental, physical, and behavioral needs.

Reducing Distress in Mothers of Children With Autism and Other Disabilities: A Randomized Trial

Reducing Distress in Mothers of Children With Autism and Other Disabilities: A Randomized Trial

Empowerment and Parent Gain as Mediators and Moderators of Distress in Mothers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Mothers of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) experience considerable amounts of distress and experiences of crisis. The Family Adjustment and Adaptation Response model provides a theory for understanding the experience of distress and crisis in families, and the purpose of the present study was to examine experiences of distress in mothers of individuals with ASD using this framework. We specifically investigated how parent empowerment and positive gain were related to their experiences of distress, whether as mediators or as moderators of child aggression. Participants included 156 mothers of children with ASD ranging in age from 4 to 21 years. Mothers completed an online survey of demographics, problem behaviors, family empowerment, positive gain, and distress. We conducted path analyses of multiple mediation and moderation. Results indicated that greater child problem behavior was related to less parent empowerment, which was related to greater maternal distress, supporting empowerment as a partial mediator. At the same time, greater child aggression was not related to maternal distress in mothers who report high rates of positive gain, suggesting that parent gain functions as a moderator. The implications for how and when clinicians intervene with families of children with ASD are discussed.

Psychological distress in mothers of children admitted to a nutritional rehabilitation unit in Malawi – a comparison with other paediatric wards

In a previous study we found a very high prevalence of psychological distress in mothers of children admitted to a nutritional rehabilitation unit (NRU) in Malawi, Africa. The objective of this study was to compare the prevalence and severity of maternal distress within the NRU with that in other paediatric wards. Given the known association between poor maternal psychological well-being and child undernutrition in low- and middle-income countries, we hypothesised that distress would be higher among NRU mothers. Mothers of consecutive paediatric inpatients in a NRU, a high-dependency (and research) unit and an oncology ward were assessed for psychological distress using the Self-Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ). Two hundred sixty-eight mothers were interviewed (90.3% of eligible). The prevalence of SRQ score ≥8 was 35/150 {23.3% [95% confidence interval (CI) 16.8- 30.9%]} on the NRU, 13/84 [15.5% (95% CI 8.5-25.0%)] on the high-dependency unit and 7/34 [20.6% (95% CI 8.7-37.9%)] on the oncology ward (χ(2) = 2.04, P = 0.36). In linear regression analysis, the correlates of higher SRQ score were child diarrhoea on admission, child diagnosed with tuberculosis, and maternal experience of abuse by partner; child height-for-age z-score fell only just outside significance (P = 0.05). In summary, we found no evidence of greater maternal distress among the mothers of severely malnourished children within the NRU compared with mothers of paediatric inpatients with other severe illnesses. However, in support of previous research findings, we found some evidence that poor maternal psychological well-being is associated with child stunting and diarrhoea.

Supplemental Material for Dissecting Daily Distress in Mothers of Children With ADHD: An Electronic Diary Study

Supplemental Material for Dissecting Daily Distress in Mothers of Children With ADHD: An Electronic Diary Study

Dissecting daily distress in mothers of children with ADHD: An electronic diary study.

It is well known that parents of children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) experience elevated levels of caregiver stress, but little is known about the ebb and flow of parental distress as it happens, or the degree of synchrony between short-term oscillations in child behaviors and maternal distress. Electronic diaries (eDiaries) were used to dissect daily distress in natural settings. Across 7 days during nonschool hours, half-hourly eDiaries were completed independently by mothers and their 8- to 12-year-old children (51 receiving medication for ADHD and 58 comparison peers). Diary items tapped behaviors, moods, and contexts, with children reporting their own behaviors and mothers reporting on themselves and their children. Maternal distress and child ADHD-type behaviors exhibited moderate to strong associations "in the moment," whether child behaviors were reported by mothers or children. This mother-child synchrony emerged for the comparison as well as the ADHD group, although the associations were stronger when the dyad included a child with ADHD. Because fixed-effects analyses were conducted, these patterns are not attributable to levels of psychopathology or other stable individual differences in mothers or children. Further moderation analyses revealed that the links between child behaviors and maternal distress were strengthened by maternal risk and attenuated by child behavioral self-esteem; these effects were modest but detectable. These findings can help guide not only interventions targeted on improving quality of life in families of children with ADHD, but also programs designed to help all parents identify and manage their own parenting stressors.

Pre‐bereavement meaning and post‐bereavement distress in mothers of children who underwent haematopoietic stem cell transplantation

The purpose of this study was to explore the association of meaning-making with psychological adjustment to bereavement among mothers of children who had undergone haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). A prospective research design was used. Regression analyses were conducted to determine the relations between pre-bereavement variables (distress, searching for meaning, and finding meaning) and distress post-bereavement. Thirty-five mothers of children who had undergone HSCT were interviewed at the time of their child's HSCT and 3 months post-bereavement. Mothers who reported searching for meaning at HSCT reported greater post-bereavement distress, and mothers who reported finding meaning at HSCT reported less post-bereavement distress. Distress at HSCT and the number of days between the time of death and the post-bereavement time point were also found to be significant predictors of post-bereavement distress. This study provides partial support for the role of meaning in adjustment to loss.

Factors Linked to Distress in Mothers of Children Disclosing Sexual Abuse

The aim of the present study is to investigate the variability in clinical level of psychological distress experienced by mothers of sexually abused children by exploring the role of (a) abuse-related variables (length, severity, and identity of perpetrator), (b) a history of childhood sexual abuse and partner violence experienced in the past year, and (c) mothers' coping and feelings of empowerment. Data were collected through self-report measures completed by 149 French-speaking mothers of girls aged 4 to 12 years disclosing sexual abuse. Results revealed that more than half of the mothers reported clinical levels of psychological distress and experienced child sexual abuse, and 1 of 4 mothers experienced physical partner violence. Logistic regression analysis revealed that mother's sexual abuse and partner violence as well as avoidance coping and empowerment contributed to scores reaching clinical levels of psychological distress. In addition, mothers of child victims of intrafamilial sexual abuse are more likely to report clinical levels of distress. Results underscore the importance of evaluating for trauma history and taking coping strategies and empowerment into account in treatment interventions.

Predictors and Moderators of Psychological Distress in Mothers of Children with Pervasive Developmental Disorders

ABSTRACT This study explored potential predictors of psychological distress and moderators of the relation between parenting stress and psychological distress in mothers of children with pervasive developmental disorders (PDDs). Ninety-seven mothers of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders completed measures assessing children's functional impairment, parenting stress, number of social supports, satisfaction with social support, parenting sense of competence, number of coping strategies, and maternal psychological distress. Consistent with hypotheses, parenting competence and satisfaction with social support were negatively related to maternal distress. However, number of coping strategies and number of social supports were not significantly related to distress. Regression analyses revealed that number of social supports augmented, rather than moderated, the relation between a composite of children's functional impairment/parenting stress and maternal distress; no other variable significantly moderated this relation. Based on the findings, possible modifications to the existing stress-coping models are considered for mothers of children with autism spectrum disorders, and implications for service providers are discussed.

Maternal Functioning And Children's Physical Functioning In Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (JRA) 1980

Background: Maternal psychological functioning has been found to be related to psychosocial functioning in children, especially among those whose children have chronic illnesses. Objective: To determine if maternal functioning (operationalized as depression, anxiety and parenting stress) is correlated with children's physical functioning and to assess if this relationship exists when the child's status is assessed independent of maternal report. Methods: Sixty-five mothers of children, ages 1 - 16 years, with JRA completed Ilfeld's Psychiatric Symptom Index (PSI)(assessing maternal depressive symptoms and anxiety) and Abidin's Parenting Stress Index (assessing parenting stress as defined by role restriction and sense of competence). The outcome, children's physical functioning, was measured with two questionnaires; the Childhood Health Assessment Questionnaire (CHAQ), a JRA-specific measure and the Functional Status II (R)(FSII[R]), a general measure of childhood functioning. Mothers were also asked to complete two visual analogue scales (VAS) for pain and global well-being. To determine the child's functioning independent of maternal report, a pediatric rheumatologist examined each child for number of joints with active arthritis and number of joints with limitation of motion, and completed a VAS for disease activity. Results: Associations were found between higher psychiatric symptom scores and several outcomes including larger number of joints with active arthritis (r=.28) and limited joints (r=.25), higher VAS scores for pain (r=.36), poorer functioning on the FSII(R) (r=.37), and high scores on the physician's global assessment (r=.27) (all statistically significant at p<0.05). PSI scores≥30, which suggest a diagnosis of depression, showed a significant association with high VAS scores for pain and poorer functioning on the FSII(R) (p<0.01 for both). The Parenting Stress Index was found to be significantly associated with poorer scores on the CHAQ(r=.28) and the FSII(R) (r=.44) and high scores on the physician's global assessment (r=.38) (p<0.05). Conclusion: Distress in mothers of children with JRA relates to both the child's psychosocial functioning and to their physical functioning. This relationship exists even when the child's physical functioning is assessed independent of maternal report.