Parent Support Groups Research Articles

P-094: EXPLORING SCHOOL LIVED EXPERIENCES OF SECONDARY STUDENTS WITH SICKLE CELL DISEASE THROUGH THEIR PARENTS’ LENS

Purpose: The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the academic and emotion of secondary students with sickle cell disease school experiences as their parents recalled them. Educators are responsible for ensuring access to quality education for all students. Students with disabilities have a legal right to a free appropriate public education under Section 504 and the Individualized Education Program (IEP). The chronic illness this research will focus on is children living with sickle cell disease. Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder that causes severe pain episodes when sickled blood cells get stuck in blood vessels. To explore these experiences, the researcher employed a qualitative phenomenological approach to inquiry. The researcher also employed a social constructivism approach. Materials and methods: The study purpose was to investigate students’ academic and emotional school lived experiences through interviews and a focus group. The research method involved using the data from interviews, artifacts, and the focus group to analyze the parents’ experiences, background stories, and perspectives. The research method also included reviewing some parents’ artifacts, such as attendance records, grades, IEPs and 504 plans, and psychological evaluations to understand their educational attainment, absenteeism, and achievement. One participant shared the school attendance policy with the researcher as an additional artifact to provide additional insight into the phenomenon. Results: . The four themes that emerged were: (a) the need for a consistent approach by school staff, with awareness and understanding in an inclusive setting, (b) challenges faced by children with sickle cell disease in a school setting, (c) parents need for empowerment, and (d) need for adaptability in school culture and practices. The findings, results, and interpretations from this qualitative, phenomenological study support the need for increased awareness and support for secondary students with sickle cell disease as it relates to student achievement, emotion, and psychosocial challenges. Conclusion: Recommendation 1: Effective collaboration between schools and medical/psychosocial team Recommendation 2: Provide Targeted Professional Development Recommendation 3: Create Personalized Learning Options for Some Students with Sickle Cell Disease Recommendation 4: Promote Parent and Student Empowerment 1. Listen to mother’s story 2. Parent, Student and School Team Engagement Council 3. Parent Support Group 4. Review Hospital Homebound policy The authors do not declare any conflict of interest

Quality of life of caregivers of autistic children in Saudi Arabia: Cross-sectional study

Objectives:To assess the impact on quality of life (QOL) caused by caring for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and examine the impact according to provincial residence.Methods:This was an observational, cross-sectional study conducted from May to July 2019 at King Abdulaziz University Hospital in Jeddah. Eight hundred and twelve participants were included and divided equally into caregivers of children with and without ASDs. Data were collected through an online questionnaire distributed via autism associations and parental support groups across all 13 Saudi Arabian provinces.Results:Caregivers of children with ASDs showed lower scores in most quality-of-life domains compared with those of caregivers of children without ASDs (p<0.05, except for one domain). The impacts of additional factors were considered, including the caregivers’ age, the relation of the caregiver to the child, the specific province of residence, and the provision of medical services.Conclusion:A significant negative correlation was found between caregiving for children with ASDs and quality-of-life scores.

Lived experiences of parents of children with disabilities engaged in a support group incorporating equines

BackgroundParenting a child with disabilities comes with significant challenges to parental quality of life, often resulting in decreased physical, mental, and social health when compared to parents who raise typically developing children. AimsTo address the needs of this population a 10-week interdisciplinary support group, based in attachment theory and incorporating equines, was developed called Taking the Reins of Self-care. Methods and proceduresDesigned to utilize the human-equine bond, the support group facilitated development of self-care strategies to increase quality of life of 6 parents of children with disabilities in the United States Outcomes and resultsQualitative phenomenological analysis of field notes and parent interviews revealed the following themes: confirming the horse as an emotional confidant, creating a safe haven, re-affirming identity, nourishing the emotional self, and meeting the challenge. Conclusions and implicationsAnalysis of Taking the Reins of Self-care substantiates the value of complimentary therapeutic approaches, attachment theory and the human-equine bond, and supports further investigation of the benefits of specialized parental support groups to enrich the experience of raising a child with disabilities.

‘Maisons Des Adolescents’, Youth Mental Health in France

Since 1999, more than 100 “Maisons des Adolescents” (MDAs) - “House of Adolescents” - have been developed in France. These integrated youth-friendly facilities enabled young persons to gain access to specific care. The various medical programs of MDAs depend on the priorities of local communities rather than on official regulations. Most MDAs offer the following essential services: a “Health and Prevention Space” open daily; multidisciplinary consultations; consult liaison for youths hospitalized in medical units; a home visiting service; outpatient clinic including art workshops; refresher courses for school work; peer and parent support groups. The MDAs from the start addressed an age group (young people aged 11-21 years) rather than an illness. They thus provide primary prevention for young persons according to the World Health Organization definition of health as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being.” The success of the MDA network is already widely acknowledged by users, professionals, and policymakers.DisclosureNo significant relationships.

Presenting Symptoms of Undiagnosed Autism Spectrum Disorder Among Young Boys and Girls in Community CAMHS Between 2018–2019

AimsThough Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a common childhood neurodevelopmental disorders, the literature on presentation of undiagnosed ASD in Consultant Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, (CAMHS) is scarce. The aim of the study was to look at symptoms at presentation among boys and girls in CAMHS, compare the symptom profile between the two genders, establish the main referral and assessment pathways and interventions employed after diagnosisMethodsThis was a retrospective review of patients’ files referred to ASD Walsall CAHMS Clinic conducted in February 2021. A random sample size of 44 boys and girls equally distributed from the ASD database was selected randomly from the completed ASD assessment list, the equal distribution between genders was intentional. We looked at presenting symptoms reported on the referral letters, assessments in CAMHS, and interventions outlined from ASD outcome letters of all subjects with completed ASD assessment, in age groups 7–18 years.ResultsAcross genders, most patients presented in the teenage years with common age of presentation seen at ages 15 and 17, both at 15.9% and mean age being 13 years. Ninety-five percent of patients were in school at the time of referral. Only 4.5% of patient were referred through crisis and the rest through local GP. A variety of presenting symptoms were seen, with the majority of the patients presenting with social and communication difficulties (77.3%), under /overreaction to sensory stimuli (63.6%) and anxiety (61.4%). 9.1% of patients had a family history of ASD. 100% of assessments included ADOS, SALT and neurodevelopmental assessment. 77.3% of patients were referred to support groups like living with ASD parent support groups. Along with CAMHS, education (97.7%) was the main agency involved in the care of these patients. In 44.2% of patients, EHCP was requested or already in place. The in between gender comparison also showed that although most symptoms were similar in both groups, some such as self-harm were higher among girls (27.3%) as compared to boys (13.6%) as well as obsessional symptoms which were more common in boys (63.3%) as compared to girls (27.3%).ConclusionUndiagnosed ASD presents with a wide variety of symptoms amongst boys and girls. Previous UK studies have shown an earlier presentation of ASD and which is contrary to our findings demonstrating a much later presentation. Therefore, we recommend referrers to be aware of the varied presentations and have a lower threshold for referral to secondary services to aid quicker ASD diagnosis and management.

The Need for Parental Support for Migrant Parents in Transition Into Sweden: A Perspective.

Migration is a stressful experience and research shows that newly arrived migrants in Sweden suffer from different challenges and struggle to relate to parenting in a new culture that is different from their own. The Swedish Child Health Services (CHS) focuses on promoting health among children, as well as supporting parents in parenting. Although this is a goal, migrant parents participate at lower rates in parental support groups. This paper aims to discuss how the Swedish CHS can support these families and address the need for improvement in the parental support offered to migrant parents during transition into their host country. In addition, this paper also aims to review and discuss the advantages of using a community-based participatory research approach together with the Swedish CHS to identify and apply culturally appropriate support programs to increase health literacy among migrant parents. The Swedish government decided to place greater emphasis and resources on supporting parents and promoting equal health among families in Sweden, with special emphasis on migrants and other vulnerable groups. This report from the Swedish government indicates the importance of creating knowledge about new ways, methods, and actions that may be needed to increase this support. One suggestion of this paper is to provide culturally appropriate healthcare work using a community-based participatory research approach, where migrant parents themselves are actively involved in the development of support programs. This approach will not only provide migrant families knowledge and support, it will also build on their needs and the challenges they can share, and receive support to overcome.

COVID-19 vaccine in patients with Dravet syndrome: Observations and real-world experiences.

ObjectiveVaccination against the SARS‐CoV‐2 virus is a primary tool to combat the COVID‐19 pandemic. However, vaccination is a common seizure trigger in individuals with Dravet syndrome (DS). Information surrounding COVID‐19 vaccine side effects in patients with DS would aid caregivers and providers in decisions for and management of COVID‐19 vaccination.MethodsA survey was emailed to the Dravet Syndrome Foundation's Family Network and posted to the Dravet Parent & Caregiver Support Group on Facebook between May and August 2021. Deidentified information obtained included demographics and vaccination status for individuals with DS. Vaccine type, side effects, preventative measures, and changes in seizure activity following COVID‐19 vaccination were recorded. For unvaccinated individuals, caregivers were asked about intent to vaccinate and reasons for their decision.ResultsOf 278 survey responses, 120 represented vaccinated individuals with DS (median age = 19.5 years), with 50% reporting no side effects from COVID‐19 vaccination. Increased seizures following COVID‐19 vaccination were reported in 16 individuals, but none had status epilepticus. Of the 158 individuals who had not received a COVID‐19 vaccination, 37 were older than 12 years (i.e., eligible at time of study), and only six of these caregivers indicated intent to seek vaccination. The remaining 121 responses were caregivers to children younger than 12 years, 60 of whom indicated they would not seek COVID‐19 vaccination when their child with DS became eligible. Reasons for vaccine hesitancy were fear of increased seizure activity and concerns about vaccine safety.SignificanceThese results indicate COVID‐19 vaccination is well tolerated by individuals with DS. One main reason for vaccine hesitancy was fear of increased seizure activity, which occurred in only 13% of vaccinated individuals, and none had status epilepticus. This study provides critical and reassuring insights for caregivers and health care providers making decisions about the safety of COVID‐19 vaccinations for individuals with DS.

Crowdsourcing the Perception of the Bicoronal Scar in Open Cranial Vault Reconstruction

Purpose: Within open cranial vault reconstruction (CVR) for craniosynostosis, efforts have been directed at minimizing the bicoronal scar, which contributes to increased patient stigmatization and decreased parental satisfaction. To understand these esthetic considerations across multiple centers, we evaluated demographic and clinical determinants of patient scar self-consciousness, parental scar satisfaction, and parental satisfaction with their children’s overall medical and surgical care. Methods: A 25-item questionnaire was distributed within an 18 500-member craniosynostosis parental online support group. Parents were asked to grade patient scar self-consciousness, parental scar satisfaction, and parental satisfaction with their children’s overall care on a 10-point Likert scale. A t-test and linear regression were performed for binary and continuous variables. Results: Of 838 responses, 516 met inclusion criteria. 32% of patients had visible scar alopecia and 25% of respondents reported their child’s hair is deliberately styled to disguise the scar. 2% of patients underwent scar revision. Older age, complications, ongoing symptoms, and increased number of surgeries were negatively associated with parental scar satisfaction, patient self-consciousness, and parental satisfaction with overall management. Ethnicity and hair texture were not associated with patient self-consciousness or parental satisfaction with care. Incision type (zig-zag/wavy compared to straight bicoronal incisions) showed no significant difference in subjective outcomes measures or rates of external stigmatizing behavior between the 2 groups. Conclusions: Bicoronal scarring has complex and multifaceted psychosocial effects. Advanced age, complications, ongoing symptoms, and increased number of surgeries are key determinants of patient and parent satisfaction, though parental esthetic satisfaction may be more sensitive to external stigmatizing behavior. This study calls for a reappraisal of conventional teaching regarding the impact of incision design. While craniofacial morphology, neurological development, and social functioning may be more foundational to overall patient and parent satisfaction, the esthetic value of the bicoronal scar should not be undervalued.

188 Meeting the Needs of Transgender People through Community Engagement

OBJECTIVES/GOALS: Alachua TranQuility was formed in early 2016 to address needs of transgender people in Alachua County, Florida and surrounding areas. Increasing awareness of gender identity issues created a growing population in need of additional health and social services to counter the negative health outcomes traditionally experienced by transgender people. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: The group met monthly at UF HealthStreet, a CTSA community engagement program, where social and medical referrals and opportunities to participate in research were made available to attendees. Those attending included transgender and gender non-conforming individuals as well as family, friends and other allies. Outreach was conducted through social media, physical fliers, and tabling at community events. TranQuility partnered with local LGBTQ organizations to promote activities. Leadership was provided by a steering committee that changed over time, with feedback from attendees guiding planning. Simultaneous to TranQuilitys founding, a Youth Gender Clinic was established at UF Health, clearly demonstrating the need for services aimed at the transgender population. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: Between February 2016 and September 2019, attendance at meetings was logged per HealthStreet protocols. Age of attendees ranged from 10 to 75, and most were non-Hispanic whites. More than 300 individuals attended meetings across time, and many attended multiple meetings, with greater than 15% having attended five or more meetings. Attendance averaged around 30+ each month, with a high of 76. Educational programming was offered, such as information on hormone therapy and name/gender marker change, and a parent support group was formed to meet concurrently with the main group. Social opportunities were very popular, as a safe place for people to present as their authentic selves. The coronavirus pandemic curtailed in-person meetings at HealthStreet in 2020, but the group plans to return to this format in 2022. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE: TranQuility has become an established organization to which other groups provide referrals. Qualitatively it is clear that many people have been positively impacted. An ongoing discussion for the group, however, has been to improve outreach to transgender people of color, who typically suffer from the most discrimination and anti-trans violence.

Adolescent self-harm: Parents' experiences of supporting their child and help-seeking.

Self-harm in children and adolescents is a growing public health issue. Parents are forefront in identifying, responding to and supporting their child to seek help. A sequential mixed-method study which included an online survey (N = 37) and a semi-structured interview (n = 10) was conducted to understand parents' experiences of supporting and accessing help for their child. Parents (M = 45.70years, SD = 6.18) with a child who has engaged in self-harm behaviours (M = 16.89years, SD = 3.91) participated. Parents sought help from a range of services and perceived psychiatrists, private psychologists and friends as the most helpful and school psychologists, paediatricians, Emergency Department (ED) and the national youth mental health organisation as the least helpful. Two themes were interpreted from the qualitative data: (1) An emotional journey into the dark unknown, and (2) The promise of psychological help. A series of recommendations for other parents in similar situations, as well as health professionals were made. Parents want health professionals to provide appropriate referrals, work collaboratively with families, meaningfully connect with and validate parents, provide practical and psychological support for families and establish parent support groups. There remains a need for widely available evidence-informed resources, information and support for parents.

Where are all the Autistic Parents? A Thematic Analysis of Autistic Parenting Discourse within the Narrative of Parenting and Autism in Online Media

Although content related to parenting Autistic children is common in online media, little attention is paid to the experiences of Autistic parents. There is a growing trend of parents receiving autism diagnoses after their children are diagnosed, yet a basic Google search on “parents” and “autism” reveals myriad data on the experiences of parents of Autistic children and little on experiences of Autistic parents. A systematic online search, augmented with a “crowd-sourcing” request to online parent support groups, identified only 15 articles and blogs that discuss Autistic parenting in advocacy, lifestyle, and parenting websites. This article explores the scope and content of Autistic parenting discourse in these online media to consider how the experiences of Autistic parents are conceptualized and situated within broader narratives of neurodiversity, autism and parenting. Media discourse focused on women who had received their autism diagnosis in adulthood, their experiences navigating their diagnoses, minimizing parenting challenges, and pushing back against autism stereotypes, with the majority of content intended for Allistic audiences. Recent increased recognition of autism in women has coincided with a new interest in Autistic parenthood, raising questions about gendered assumptions and disabled mothering. The media narrative includes “defying stereotypes” and “proving” autism is compatible with parenthood, echoing mainstream beliefs. Social justice issues reinscribed in the narrative illustrate how centring the voices of Autistic parents can reconceptualize public perception of autism and bridge the disconnect between parenting Autistic children, and Autistic parenting of children.

Make it easier: 3-word strategies to help children with cerebral visual impairment use their vision more effectively

IntroductionCerebral Visual Impairment (CVI) is the most common cause of visual impairment in children in the United Kingdom. Management relies on identifying strategies and adaptations which enable the child to use their vision effectively and efficiently. The majority of published strategies involve lengthy inventories used in a specialist setting. Feedback from parent support groups cite the provision of immediate advice on strategies at the time of diagnosis as a key indicator of good care. The aim of the study was to use the Delphi technique to construct a set of three-word phrases to succinctly describe strategies for common visual dysfunctions in children with CVI.MethodA panel of twelve experts across health, education and those with lived experience was recruited. Four rounds of questionnaires were used to reach consensus on candidates symptoms and suggestions for 3-word-phrases. Consensus was defined as 70% agreement.ResultsResponse rates were 92, 67, 92 and 91% for each round respectively. The 3-word phrases reaching consensus were: Big Bold Bright; Keep it Still; Eyes or Ears; Show It High; Better on Left/Right; Clear the Clutter; Keep It Short; Give Me Time, My Vision Varies, Just One Thing.ConclusionThe intention is for the phrases presented to act as a ‘starter’ at the point of diagnosis and are appropriate for children of any developmental or visual ability. The real-life validation of this set of expert-consensus phrases will require further studies, evaluating both their effectiveness in terms of mapping to an intervention and impact on visual development.

The Ambiguity of Parenting Adult Children With Substance Use Disorder.

Background. Substance Use Disorder can impede parent-child relationships. The Theory of Ambiguous Loss provides a structure for occupational therapy practitioners in developing interventions to support the parent-child relationship. Purpose. This study explores the roles of parents of adult children diagnosed with Substance Use Disorder in the context of the Theory of Ambiguous Loss. Method. Volunteer participants were recruited from three urban parental support groups. Inclusion criteria were involved in a support group and having an adult child diagnosed with Substance Use Disorder. Eight mothers and one father participated in semi-structured interviews using a phenomenological approach. Themes and structural descriptions were developed. Findings. Five themes were identified: hopeful coping, occupational interference, changes in social constructs and participation, burdenful caregiving and receiving, and blending of occupations. Themes offer intervention considerations for occupational therapy. Implications. Research provides additional conceptual consideration to build occupation-centered interventions for parents and their adult children in Substance Use Disorder recovery.

S128: CONTINUOUS QUALITY IMPROVEMENT IN PAEDIATRIC SICKLE CELL DISEASE

Background: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is characterised by severe episodic pain requiring prompt and effective analgesia. However, SCD patients frequently experience poor quality of care due to lack of awareness of the condition among non- specialist staff, pre-conceived biases and unfounded allegation of drug-seeking behaviour. Several reports and surveys using Patient Reported Experience Measure (PREM) tools indicate widespread prevalence of ineffective pain relief in emergency department(ED), poor access to psychological therapies and poor funding for service development. Aims: To use a validated PREM tool to survey patients or carers of sickle cell disease within the paediatric service of a Specialist Haemoglobinopathy Team. To use an established Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) methodology (5-D’s-define, describe, design, deliver, digest) to ensure sustained improvement in patient- reported areas of service deficit. Methods: The PREM survey was conducted as part of a network- wide initiative in 2018. The survey responses were analysed and problem scores created for specialist care, emergency care, ward-based care, information and support. These problem areas were categorised into domains where further improvement action was needed. CQI tools were used to map the patient journey within Emergency Department (ED) when presenting with pain followed by thematic analysis to identify potential improvements in the patient journey. Results: The PREM survey analysis identified three domains for improvement: Domain A: To improve the effectiveness of pain relief and quality of empathic and informed care to paediatric sickle cell patients and their families in ED. We developed multi-disciplinary teaching videos with patient involvement and patient information material based on ED/pain/sickle staff feedback. Excellent engagement from all staff groups obtained. Patient involvement in ED teaching video was well received. Thematic analysis of ED process mapping highlighted need for sustained staff education and re-writing ED pain protocol to align with current practice. Pre-conceived biases were identified among staff with respect to attributing drug-seeking behaviour to patients during severe sickle cell pain. Domain B: To improve the information presented to children regarding SCD and the care services available in our trust We developed child friendly Information leaflets targeting primary school age and secondary school age readers Domain C: To improve the availability of, and access to, mental health services for paediatric SCD patients. We developed virtual parent support groups and psychological health screening for adolescent patients in clinics. We organised a ‘Tree of Life’ (ToL) patient empowerment workshop. The parent support groups were well attended. Plans are in place to continue ToL workshops and support groups on a regular basis. Future work: A rapid improvement workshop is being planned to engage a wider multi-disciplinary team to engender a culture of empathy in line with our trust values. Further input from workshop is expected to identify and implement sustainable goals. We plan to undertake a repeat PREM survey following the end of this CQI project to understand the impact and the implemented improvements.

The Function of Ritualized Acts of Memory Making after Death in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

(1) Background: Some infants die shortly after birth, leaving both parents and nurses in grief. In the specific setting where the data were collected, the bereaved parents receive a scrapbook made by the nursing staff in the NICU, and a box made by a local parent support group. Making a scrapbook and a box when an infant dies in the NICU can be regarded as ritualized acts. The aim of this study is to explore the functions of these ritualized acts of making a scrapbook and memory box when an infant dies in the NICU. (2) Methods: Focus group interviews were performed with experienced nurses in the NICU, and with members of a parent support group. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to interpret the data. (3) Three main themes were constructed: “Making memories”, “showing evidence of the infant’s life and of the parenthood”, and “controlling chaos”. (4) Conclusions: Through the ritualized acts of making scrapbooks and boxes, nurses and members of the parent support group collect and create memories and ascribe the infant with personhood, and the parents with the status of parenthood. In addition, the ritualizing functions to construct meaning, repair loss, relieve sorrow, and offer a sense of closure for the makers of these items.

Life is a rollercoaster: an exploration of a support group for parents and carers of those with children and young people with mental health difficulties

Abstract NHS Digital reported that one in eight children aged 5 to 19-year-old in England were identified with a mental illness, the most prevalent being emotional disorders. A diagnosis of a mental illness has a clear impact on children or young people and can also impact the health and wellbeing of family members, in particular parents and carers. We will share and discuss findings from a co-produced evaluation of a nationally recognized support group, Rollercoaster, a well-established and popular parent support group in the UK, for carers of children and young people with mental health difficulties. We will illustrate “what works” in setting up and running a support group for parents in the UK and more widely. The audience will learn what matters to the parents and carers regarding support and in terms of offering support, and how to effectively run a successful support group. Specifically, the evaluation focused on what principles could be drawn from Rollercoaster, given the wide gap in local services offering targeted support for carers. We therefore created a framework to aid in the development of other, unique support groups designed to meet the needs of their local populations. We carried out a parent/carer survey; interviews with parents/carers, support group workers and wider stakeholders; and observations of support group activities. Applying a “lesson drawing” method, we grouped what participants said around the following areas: 1) specific activities offered by Rollercoaster; 2) people who set up and run a parent/carer support group; 3) how to make a parent/carer support group successful. Engaging a wide range of parents/carers and stakeholders at every stage in the design of activities was seen as paramount. A range of skills are required by different people at various points in setting up and running the group. Success rests on constantly adapting to internal and external developments and having a bedrock of being parent led and professionally supported.

3.O. Workshop: Children and adolescents’ mental health during the corona pandemic

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic is an unprecedented public health crisis impacting all age groups and all areas of society, irrespective of the risk of exposure or disease severity. In fact, containment measures put into place, such as social distancing, limiting mobility or closing of schools, carry many risks for health, especially for mental health. It is also said, that the pandemic accentuates existing health risks. Childhood and adolescence is characterized by ongoing physical, social, emotional and academic developments and dependencies, and is therefore considered a population of increased vulnerability. While this age group is not a high risk group for SARS-CoV 2 diseases, they are heavily impacted by the containment measures, which caused a drastic change to their everyday lives with closures of schools and recreational activities, social distancing and stay at home orders. Loss of day structure and contact to friends can be destabilizing. Children and adolescents rely on their parents for stability and security. However, the general and specific fears related to health and economic situation during the pandemic may affect parents' ability to provide this support. First evidence indicates a drastic rise in mental health problems in children and adolescents with potential long-term impact. The workshop addresses mental health in children and adolescents during the pandemic and will provide the opportunity to discuss public health reactions to this mental health crisis. We present four studies with data collected during the lock-down or pandemic, of which two present data on psychological difficulties and associated risk factors, underlining the role of parents in mental health of children and adolescents, while the other two address solutions, namely interventions for improving mental health literacy in adolescents and parental support groups. While the workshop topic relates to COVID-19 pandemic, the lessons-to be learned go beyond the current public health crisis. Key messages Covid-19 containment measures come with serious side-effects for mental health in children in Europe, strongly associated with parental health and economic situation. Public health must address the rise in mental health problems in children during and after the pandemic to ensure a healthy development of this generation.

Children's Behavior and Maternal Parenting Stress in Young Children With Sex Chromosome Trisomies.

Children and adolescents with sex chromosome trisomies (SCTs) usually show a higher frequency of behavioral problems than typically developing (TD) children. However, little is known about the presence of behavioral issues in toddlers with SCT. This study aimed at investigating their behavioral profile in the second year of life and its impact on maternal stress. Participants were 87 children ranging in age from 18 to 26 months: 63 children with SCTs (all diagnosed prenatally) and 24 TD children. Their psychomotor and language development and their behavioral profile were assessed. In addition, the level of maternal parenting stress was evaluated. Both psychomotor and language development were significantly lower in children with SCTs than in TD children. Conversely, no significantly greater behavioral problems emerged in children with SCTs. However, a significantly higher level of parenting stress related to a dysfunctional interaction with the child emerged in the mothers of children with SCTs. In this population, maternal stress seemed positively related to their children's emotional problems and pervasive disorders and negatively related to their children's psychomotor and linguistic competence. Although no significant behavioral issues emerged in the second year of life, the relationships found between children's behavioral profiles and maternal parenting stress highlight the importance of prenatal counseling and support groups for parents of children with SCTs. This might help them recognize the first signs of behavioral problems and become aware of their influence on parenting stress.

THE LIGHTS ARE STILL ON! HOW CHILD PSYCHIATRISTS AND PSYCHOLOGISTS LEVERAGED NETWORKS TO PROMOTE CHILDREN’S MENTAL HEALTH IN 2020

Objectives: Child and adolescent psychiatrists and child psychologists (CPs) have a storied history of child mental health promotion (CMHP). The COVID-19 pandemic increased the risks to the mental health of children and adolescents. Concurrently, physical distancing stymied many traditional routes for CMHP, including advocacy and the identification of children at increased risk for mental illness. However, it did not destroy the strong health-promoting networks that child and adolescent psychiatrists and CPs built prior to COVID-19. This presentation will describe how preexisting interdisciplinary networks were leveraged to provide child mental health (CMH) advocacy, education, and outreach during COVID-19. Methods: The presenters will describe the CMHP network that they built prior to COVID-19, the impact of COVID-19 on their health promotion practices, and how they utilized their networks to maintain CMHP. The presentations include: Shirley Alleyne, MB, BS, Finding Purpose in the COVID-19 Pandemic: Partnering of Child Psychiatrists and Educators for Children’s Health and Academic Success;Debra Koss, MD, Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists as Mental Health Advocates: Every Voice Matters;Elise Fallucco, MD, Shifting Gears: Statewide and National Efforts to Integrate Mental Health in Pediatric Primary Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic;and Dominique Charlot-Swilley, PhD, and Matthew Biel MD, MSc, Nurturing the Nurturers During COVID-19: Rapid-Response Virtual Support Groups for Parents and Educators of Young Children. Participants will be invited to share their CMHP initiatives. Jeff Bostic, MD, EdD, will then synthesize themes from the presentations, providing guidance on best practices for CMHP maintenance during national crises. Then there will be a Q&A session. Results: Child and adolescent psychiatrists and CPs were uniquely skilled to forecast and address CMH needs during COVID-19. They utilized innovative adaptations to facilitate a rapid shift in their CMHP models. In the process, child and adolescent psychiatrists and CPs have strengthened their interdisciplinary CMH training, parent education, and advocacy skills. Conclusions: COVID-19 presented unique challenges to all medical professionals. Child and adolescent psychiatrists and CPs have risen to COVID-19’s challenge, leveraging prior networks to amplify the voices of children and families and maintain CMHP. Lessons learned during COVID-19 must inform national policy and permanently keep the CMHP “lights ON” during national crises. PSC, ADV, CON

The Influence of Father’s Involvement on the Level of Marriage Satisfaction of Couples in Kenya.

The purpose of this study was to establish the extent to which a father’s involvement affects the level of marriage satisfaction of couples in Westlands Constituency, Nairobi County. The study was based on the Attachment Theory as well as the Theory of Psychoanalysis. This study employed the survey research design among married individuals both male and female from Westlands Constituency in Nairobi County who were above eighteen years of age. The data was collected using questionnaires from 384 participants using simple random sampling. The completed questionnaires were then analysed by the use of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) whereby the descriptive statistics were analysed using frequencies and percentages while the inferential statistics were analysed by use of the Pearson correlation coefficient. The study concluded that father involvement has a statistically significant negative effect on marriage relationship outcomes of individuals. With a father involvement level that is low, there is a likelihood that the marriage relationship of an individual would be negatively affected. The study recommended that in case of separation, the parents should consider active co-parenting which will ensure that fathers are actively engaged in the lives of their children so that the children do not have feelings of abandonment. The parents can also consider joining parenting support groups.