Parental Perceptions Research Articles

Validation of a Scale to Measure Parental Perception and Attitude towards Private Tuition

Validation of a Scale to Measure Parental Perception and Attitude towards Private Tuition

Animal-assisted education: Perception of teachers and parents on the impact of the DOG project

Introduction: Research regarding Animal-Assisted Education (AAE) is a relatively new field. Due to the growing number of programs in the field, investigating AAE interventions is important. The aim of this study was to gain insight into teachers’ and parents’/caregivers’ perceptions of the impacts of a specific form of Animal-Assisted Service (AAS, formerly Animal-Assisted Intervention (AAI) namely, an Animal-Assisted Education (AAE) program for primary school students, as offered in the Netherlands. Materials and methods: This study was designed as an exploratory qualitative study, executed by means of interviews using a semi-structured questionnaire. Twelve teachers and ten parents/caregivers were interviewed. The analysis started with open coding and was followed by axial and selective coding. Results: There is significant agreement regarding the positive influence of AAE on the perception of teachers and parents. Both notice an impact beyond the context of the AAE sessions in the areas of communication, social-emotional development, self-confidence, and environmental factors. Teachers also note that the AAE project has provided them with insights that influence their professional development. Conclusion: It can be cautiously stated that 10 sessions, according to the DOG project, had a positive impact on the social-emotional development of elementary school students according to their parents and teachers. Further research on what AAE means for students is recommended. Considering the unforeseen and impactful outcome of this playful interaction initiative on teachers, it is advised to conduct subsequent research to further explore the underlying mechanisms, aiming to enhance the professional development of teachers.

Correlates of Zero-Dose Status among Children Aged 12-23 Months in the Luambo Health District, Democratic Republic of Congo: A Matched Case-Control Study.

(1) Background: "Zero-dose" (ZD) refers to a child who has not received any doses of the pentavalent (diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis-Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)-hepatitis B) vaccine. ZD children are vulnerable to vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs). Luambo health district (HD) is one of 26 HDs in Kasai Central Province in Democratic Republic of the Congo and had the largest number of ZD children in 2021. This study was conducted to identify factors associated with ZD status among children in Luambo HD. (2) Methods: We conducted a mixed-methods study of children aged 12-23 months in Luambo HD. (3) Results: A total of 445 children aged 12-23 months were included in the study, including 89 cases and 356 controls. Children who were born in Angola (AOR = 3.2; 95% CI = 1.1 to 9.8; p = 0.046), born at home (AOR = 5.2; 95% CI = 2.1 to 12.5; p < 0.001), whose mothers did not receive antenatal care (AOR = 4.4; 95% CI = 1.2 to 16.3; p = 0.023), or did not know any vaccine preventable disease (AOR = 13.3; 95% CI = 4.6 to 38.4; p < 0.001) were more likely to be ZD than their counterparts. In addition, perceptions of children's parents influenced child immunization. (4) Conclusions: Factors associated with being a ZD child suggest inequalities in vaccination that need to be addressed through appropriate interventions. Maternal and child health services need to be strengthened while also targeting children's fathers. This will make it possible to considerably reduce the proportion of ZD and undervaccinated children and effectively fight against VPDs.

Parental Perception of Childhood Bruxism Three Years after the Covid-19 Pandemic

Parental Perception of Childhood Bruxism Three Years after the Covid-19 Pandemic

Parent perceptions of school relationships: Considerations of racial-ethnic differences and youth's peer victimization.

Literature has highlighted that social relationships at school are essential to school success, yet few studies have examined this construct from parents' perspectives. Even less research has explored perceptions of social relationships in the school among parents whose children are bullying victims and potential racial-ethnic differences in the perceptions. Using self-report data from 3,261 parents of middle and high school youth, this study used multilevel analyses in which parents were nested in their child's schools and examined parent perceptions of school relationships (including Child-School Connectedness, Parent-School Connectedness, School Outreach and Involvement, and Culture of Inclusiveness and Equity) in the context of youth victimization and whether these perceptions varied by the parent's racial-ethnic background. Results showed that compared with parents whose child was not a bullying victim (63.5%), those whose child was victimized (36.5%) had poorer perceptions of school relationships and that this difference was more pronounced in some racial-ethnic groups (e.g., Asian and Black) than in others (e.g., White, bi- or multiracial). These findings underscore the importance of addressing ethnic heterogeneity in how parents evaluate school-based social relationships in the context of peer bullying to effectively engage racial-ethnic minoritized parents of victimized youth in culturally responsive school bullying interventions. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Parental reports of hospital- and community-based follow-up services, self-efficacy, and symptoms of depression a few months after discharge of a prematurely born child

BackgroundMany parents report the transition from hospital to home as challenging after the birth of a preterm-born child. This study investigates parental perceptions of community-based follow-up services after hospital discharge, alterations in parental self-efficacy during the early months at home, the prevalence of depressive symptoms among parents, and the relationship between these factors and both NICU experiences and children’s regulative behaviors.MethodsIn this second phase of a descriptive study, 110 parents returned a digital questionnaire when their child was four months corrected for prematurity. Parents were recruited while hospitalized with their child, in one of eight Norwegian neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). Thus, the study provides insight into follow-up services across a broad geographical range. Parents’ perception of self-efficacy was reported on the Karitane Parenting Confidence Scale, and depressive symptoms were evaluated with the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Children’s regulative behavior was reported on the 6-month version of the Ages and Stages Questionnaire: Social and Emotional (ASQ: SE). Using SPSS, associations between variables were investigated in multiple regression analysis in addition to descriptive analysis. Additionally, the examination of repeated measures of parental self-efficacy involved the application of linear mixed models.ResultsParents reported improved perception of self-efficacy from postdischarge to the children’s age of four months (F (1,167) = 1233.2, p < 0.001). On average, fathers’ self-efficacy improved more than that of mothers. Parents’ perception of being well informed prior to discharge from hospital predicted improved self-efficacy (F [1, 29] = 10.4, p = 0.003). Reports of depressive symptoms were at a similar level as previously reported among new parents, as 10.4% of mothers and 6.7% of fathers reported EPDS scores ≥ 10 points. Parents’ reports on ASQ: SE show that 15% of the children scored above the recommended cutoff score for three- to nine-month-old children. The parent-reported benefit of follow-up services showed considerable variation. The importance of specific knowledge about prematurity among public health nurses and physicians was frequently mentioned, and public health nurses were perceived as coordinators and mediators of various services.ConclusionsParents reported improved self-efficacy, and depressive symptoms at similar levels as new parents in general, a few months after discharge from hospital. Childrens’ regulatory behavior were reported at levels comparable with term-born infants.

Parent attitudes, comfort, and perceptions about dating violence: The moderating effect on son report of parent openness to communicate.

Parent attitudes, comfort, and perceptions about dating violence: The moderating effect on son report of parent openness to communicate.

Parental Perceptions Upon Receiving Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder and/or Intellectual Disability for their Child in Nigeria

This study examined Nigerian parents’ perceptions upon receiving an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and/or an Intellectual/Developmental Disability (IDD) diagnosis for their child. Using a cross-sectional design, this study surveyed Nigerian parents via a questionnaire containing a modified version of the Family Interview Schedule (n = 247) to examine how parents experienced stigma, their knowledge about ASD/IDD, and their perceived cause of ASD/IDD. Descriptive statistics indicated that the majority of surveyed parents experienced stigma and believed that autism could be cured. Furthermore, results from a stepwise linear regression demonstrated that parents’ level of education significantly influenced their experiences of stigma, their choice of institutions for seeking initial help, their perception of the seriousness of the disorder, and the impact of others’ belief in the transmissibility of their child’s condition on child’s condition could be transmitted significantly affected their experiences of stigma. Results are discussed, and implications for policy, research, and practice are provided.

Examining the effects of brand and licensed characters on parents' perceptions of Children's breakfast cereals

Brand and licensed characters frequently appear on children's breakfast cereal boxes and are known to affect children's product perceptions, selection, and consumption. However, less is known about their impact on parents' perceptions of foods they purchase for their child. The present study assessed the impact of brand and licensed characters featured on three children's breakfast cereal packages on parents' intentions and perceptions in an online experiment. Parents of children aged 2–12 years (n = 1013) were randomized into one of two conditions: breakfast cereals containing brand and licensed characters or breakfast cereals without any characters. Within each condition, participants viewed three breakfast cereal brands in random order per their assigned condition and reported their purchase intentions, healthfulness perceptions, and perceptions of appeal to children using 5-point Likert scales. No significant differences in purchase intentions (p = 0.91), perceived healthfulness (p = 0.52) or perceived child appeal (p = 0.59) were observed between the experimental and control groups. However, exploratory moderation analyses revealed that educational attainment moderated the impact of experimental condition on purchase intentions (p for interaction = 0.002) such that participants with a bachelor's degree in the character condition reported 0.36 points lower purchase intentions compared to the control with no difference between conditions for those with an associate's degree/trade school or high school degree or less. This study did not find an impact of brand and licensed characters on children's breakfast cereals, suggesting that their primary appeal is directly to children. Parents with higher educational attainment may be skeptical of characters on cereal brands. Additional research on the impact of brand and licensed characters on other products, in real-world settings, is needed.

Parental Perception and Attitude towards Private Tuition: A Cross-Sectional Study among Daily Wage Earners

Parents' perception of private tuition significantly impacts a child's educational journey. Positive attitudes boost academic growth, boost confidence, address individual needs, foster responsibility, and reflect cultural and social factors. Positive attitudes also encourage collaboration with educators, aligning educational goals and fostering open communication. So, the present study aimed to assess the level of perception and attitude among the parents of daily wage earners. A cross-sectional survey method has been employed to accomplish the purpose of the study among the daily wage-earning parents of school-going children. The present study consisted of 267 samples, comprising daily wage earners parents, by employing a random sampling method from Nadia District, West Bengal, India. A standardized perception and attitude scale towards private tuition, with Cronbach’s alpha values of 0.81 and 0.79, respectively, was administered to collect data from the sample (daily wage earners parents). The findings of the study indicate significant differences in perceptions and attitudes towards private tuition based on factors such as gender, location, and educational qualifications. It has been found that attitudes and perceptions of private tuition have a moderately positive correlation. This study contributes to our knowledge of the significance of private tuition in the educational landscape and provides insightful information for future studies and the formulation of societal policies.

Supplemental Material for Parent Perceptions of School Relationships: Considerations of Racial–Ethnic Differences and Youth’s Peer Victimization

Supplemental Material for Parent Perceptions of School Relationships: Considerations of Racial–Ethnic Differences and Youth’s Peer Victimization

The psychosocial determinants of adherence to home-based rehabilitation strategies in parents of children with cerebral palsy: A systematic review.

Involving parents of children with cerebral palsy (C-CP) in home exercise programmes (HEP) is globally practiced strategy closely linked to improved physical performance and functional outcomes for the child. Nevertheless, non-adherence to HEP is increasing at an alarming rate, and little is known about the factors influencing adherence to HEP (AHEP) especially in parents of C-CP. This systematic review aimed to identify the factors enhancing AHEP among parents of C-CP to reinforce the efficacy of rehabilitation practices proposed by health professionals, researchers, and educators. We conducted searches in PubMed, Scopus, CINHAL, PsycINFO, and Embase for articles published up to March 2023, that investigated the factors influencing AHEP among parents of C-CP. A narrative synthesis was conducted using the search results and pertinent material from other sources. Overall, non-adherence rates to HEP were moderate to high, ranging from 34% to 79.2%. Strong evidence suggests that factors enhancing AHEP fall into three categories: child-related (such as younger age and better gross motor function [GMF]), the caregiver-related (including high self-efficacy and knowledge, strong social support, low levels of depression, anxiety and stress symptoms, and a low perception of barriers), and the physiotherapist-related. For the latter category, the parent's perception of a supportive and collaborative relationship with the therapist is one of the conditions most favourably influences AHEP. Our findings highlight that factors influencing AHEP are multifactorial. Some, such as GMF or the economic and social conditions of the family, are challenging to change. However, the relationship between therapist and parent is an aspect that can be strengthened. These results underscore the importance of substantial training and psychosocial support for therapists to enhance their awareness and competence in building supportive relationship with parents.

Parental perceptions and acceptance of silver diamine fluoride staining in Italy

AbstractBackgroundParental perceptions of staining due to silver diamine fluoride (SDF) could affect its utilization in paediatric dentistry. This study represents the second part of a wider project focused on SDF esthetic acceptability among Italian parents.AimTo evaluate parental acceptance of SDF staining in Italy and to assess whether the parent's level of acceptance depends on location, child's behavior, or demographic background.DesignA cross‐sectional study was conducted among Italian parents of children attending two university dental clinics. We used a validated Italian version of the questionnaire “Parental Perceptions of Silver Diamine Fluoride Dental Color Changes.”ResultsTwo hundred and thirty‐four parents took part in the survey. Of parents, 65.4% considered the staining on posterior teeth esthetically “acceptable” or “somewhat acceptable,” and 19.3% on anterior teeth (p = .001). In a scenario of positive cooperation, 48.5% of parents were “somewhat likely” or “very likely” to choose SDF to treat posterior teeth, and 17.6% on anterior teeth (p = .001). Level of acceptance increased as the difficulty the child would experience to receive conventional treatment increased.ConclusionStaining on posterior teeth is more acceptable to parents than staining on anterior teeth. Level of acceptance on anterior teeth increases when sedation or general anesthesia is the alternative for the child.

Percepcija roditelja o febrilnim konvulzijama u djece

Aim. To examine the perception of parents of children suffering from febrile seizures in relation to management procedures for febrile seizures, parents’ gender, and their opinion regarding the need for additional education.Methods. The cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Pediatrics, Osijek Clinical Hospital Centre, in February and March 2023. The respondents were 32 parents of children hospitalized for febrile seizures. A questionnaire on parents’ perception of febrile seizures was used.Results. There were 32 respondents, 15 (47%) male and 17 (53%) female. A total of 20 (62%) respondents were not aware that their child was having a febrile seizure attack, 6 (19%) respondents thought their child was dying, and 4 (13%) respondents thought their child was losing consciousness. During seizure, a significant number of respondents, 16 (50%), of them, felt fear as the dominant emotion, and 13 (41%) respondents felt panic. A total of 9 (28%) respondents felt ready for recurrent febrile seizure, while 6 (19%) respondents were not or could not assess their readiness. A total of 29 (91%) respondents believed that they needed additional education.Conclusion. Parents are mostly unaware that their child is having a febrile seizure and feel fear and panic. Male parents call emergency medical services significantly more often than female parents. Parents are not sufficiently prepared for the recurrent seizures, and most of them believe that they need additional education.

A Qualitative Investigation of Parent Perceptions of Home Exercises for Congenital Muscular Torticollis.

The purpose of this qualitative study was to describe parent perceptions of the home exercise program (HEP) for infants with congenital muscular torticollis (CMT), and how these perceptions evolved over a physical therapy (PT) plan of care. Twelve participants were recruited from a pediatric PT clinic, and nine completed interviews at three time points. Qualitative description and an iterative approach for thematic analysis of 27 interviews yielded three themes that corresponded to the research questions. The participants' responses were categorized into three main themes: (1) parents' perceptions of three key exercises within the HEP, (2) internal and external sources of stress, and (3) sources of empowerment and disempowerment. Regarding the HEP, parents articulated common sentiments for three frequently prescribed exercises for the management of CMT: (1) tummy time was the fast favorite, (2) ipsilateral cervical rotation was perceived as stressful, and (3) contralateral cervical lateral flexion felt uncomfortable. Additionally, participants disclosed internal and external sources of stress (guilt, uncertainty, and the demands of returning to work) and sources of disempowerment (inconsistent messaging frompractitioners, feeling overwhelmed) and empowerment (being able to see the bigger picture and clear communication and education about the diagnosis) with respect to managing their infant's CMT. These themes provide insight into the evolution of parent perceptions over a PT plan of care for CMT. Participants' insights suggest a need for consistent messaging regarding the diagnosis and evidence-based management of CMT, addressing parent stress, and modifying how exercises are taught. This study contributes updated research on parents' experiences with physical therapy and the HEP for their infant's CMT.

Exploring the relationship between cleft type and speech outcome in 4-to-6-year-olds with non-syndromic cleft palate using different measures: A preliminary report

ABSTRACT Cleft type affects speech outcomes, but exact relationships remain unclear as outcome measures vary. The primary aim was to investigate the relationship between cleft type and speech outcome using different measures in 4-to-6-year-olds with non-syndromic clefts. Secondary aims were to explore the relationships between (i) speech measures used; and (ii) parent perception of speech intelligibility and listener familiarity. Twenty-two pre-schoolers with clefts, plus one parent for each child, were recruited through a hospital outpatient clinic. Children with cleft lip and palate (CLP; n = 11) and those with cleft palate only (CP; n = 11), matched on age and time of palate repair, were compared on Percentage Consonants Correct (PCC), clinician-reported speech intelligibility, and parent rating on the Intelligibility-in-Context Scale (ICS). Children with CLP had significantly lower PCC scores than children with CP (p = .020), but had no significant differences in their clinician- or parent-reported speech intelligibility. Clinician-reported speech intelligibility correlated significantly with both PCC (τ = .594, p < 0.01) and ICS (τ = .424, p = 0.009). No significant correlation was found between PCC and ICS (τ =.197, p = 0.113). Overall, parents rated their child’s intelligibility higher for familiar compared to unfamiliar communication partners (τ = 2.325, p = 0.001, r = .76). Cleft type is crucial for intervention planning when objective measures are employed. Speech outcomes should be evaluated at impairment, activity, and participation levels, and by different communication partners, to comprehensively evaluate communicative effectiveness.

Teacher and Parent Perception of Biophilic Conditions in Primary-School Environments and Their Impact on Children’s Wellbeing

The term “biophilia” refers to the intrinsic affinity that humans have towards nature, natural elements and natural processes. Biophilic design theories suggest that the introduction or representation of natural characteristics or elements into the built environment can help enhance people’s health and wellbeing. Primary school buildings are important environments where children spend considerable time. However, there is limited evidence on the impact of their biophilic features on the children themselves and on perceptions of important facilitators of children’s wellbeing, such as teachers and parents. This research aims to investigate whether teachers and parents perceive children to have a preference or desire for specific biophilic characteristics in their school’s physical environment; and whether teachers perceive some biophilic characteristics as having an effect on children’s performance and behaviour. A framework for evaluating biophilic characteristics in primary schools was developed. Two case study primary schools in London and Bath (England, UK) were audited against this framework, and teachers and parents were surveyed. The results suggest that children do have a preference towards the specific biophilic features studied, which is stronger and more demanding when the exposure is higher. For some aspects, teachers’ perception of benefits is also susceptible to the quality of the environment itself.

Parent experiences and perceptions of twin cobedding in the NICU and home - A qualitative descriptive study

Aims and objectivesTo explore parents of twins’ perceptions of, and experience with, twin cobedding across Neonatal Intensive Care Units and home settings in Australia. BackgroundTwin cobedding has been used by many parents over the decades however, practices vary globally as research surrounding benefit and risk has not been definitive enough to inform guidelines. There is a significant gap in the literature exploring what is involved in parental preferences, experiences, and decisions related to twin cobedding. DesignA qualitative descriptive design, using reflexive thematic analysis. MethodsData were collected through ten individual, semi-structured interviews with parents of twins who had been admitted to a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and discharged home. This paper is reported following the COREQ guidelines and checklist. ResultsFour themes were identified which spanned the experience of pregnancy, premature birth, NICU admission, and home. ‘Bonding’ focused on parents' perceptions of the importance of the twin bond and the use of twin cobedding to facilitate it; ‘Influence’ explored how information, the internet, and community influenced twin cobedding perceptions and decisions; ‘Impact’ of the NICU/SCN and separation on cobedding decisions and experiences; and ‘Coping’ focused on how the twin workload on decisions regarding sleeping arrangements. ConclusionsThis study identifies that decisions made by twin families to separate or cobed their twins, go beyond simply following guidelines, or even role-modelling hospital practices. The decision is multi-factorial, yet ultimately centers around facilitating a bond, the relationship between their twins, and which method best supports their twins’ sleep/feed routine. Implications for the profession and/or patient careFamilies of multiples would benefit from improved guidance and advice whilst in hospital that considers their unique needs. It is important for healthcare workers to consider the decisions twin parents make surrounding sleeping arrangements within the context of coping with the twin workload. Patient or public contributionNo patient or public contribution.

Neural Tracking of Perceived Parent, but Not Peer, Norms Is Associated with Longitudinal Changes in Adolescent Attitudes about Externalizing Behaviors.

Adolescents' perceptions of parent and peer norms about externalizing behaviors influence the extent to which they adopt similar attitudes, yet little is known about how the trajectories of perceived parent and peer norms are related to trajectories of personal attitudes across adolescence. Neural development of midline regions implicated in self-other processing may underlie developmental changes in parent and peer influence. Here, we examined whether neural processing of perceived parent and peer norms in midline regions during self-evaluations would be associated with trajectories of personal attitudes about externalizing behaviors. Trajectories of adolescents' perceived parent and peer norms were examined longitudinally with functional neuroimaging (n = 165; ages 11-16 years across three waves; 86 girls, 79 boys; 29.7% White, 21.8% Black, 35.8% Latinx, 12.7% other/multiracial). Behavioral results showed perceived parent norms were less permissive than adolescents' own attitudes about externalizing behaviors, whereas perceived peer norms were more permissive than adolescents' own attitudes, effects that increased from early to middle adolescence. Although younger adolescents reported less permissive attitudes when they spontaneously tracked perceived parent norms in the ventromedial and medial pFCs during self-evaluations, this effect weakened as they aged. No brain-behavior effects were found when tracking perceived peer norms. These findings elucidate how perceived parent and peer norms change in parallel with personal attitudes about externalizing behaviors from early to middle adolescence and underscore the importance of spontaneous neural tracking of perceived parent norms during self-evaluations for buffering permissive personal attitudes, particularly in early adolescence.

Patients' and Parents' Concerns over Orthodontic Treatment during the COVID - 19 Pandemic.

We aimed to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the concern of adolescents in orthodontic treatment, and to determine whether personality traits and parental perception were predictors of adolescent patients' concerns. The sample consisted of 229 adolescent patients (57.2% female) and 223 parents (65.1% female). Questionnaires included items about the importance of infection control and concern about treatment duration and results. Their latent structure was determined using exploratory factor analysis. The Big Five Inventory was used for assessing personality traits. Predictors of patients' and parental orthodontic concern and awareness of the importance of infection control measures were tested by the hierarchical multiple regression analysis. Two factors were revealed for the patient questionnaire, Treatment concern (TC) and Awareness of the importance of measures (AM), and four factors for the parent questionnaire, Parents' treatment concern (PTC), Parents' awareness of the importance of measures (PAM), Parents' concern about the pandemic (PCP) and Parents' concern about their child with regards to the pandemic (PCC). Adolescents' personality traits were not predictors of either TC or AM. PTC was a predictor of TC (p<0.001), accounting for 28% of the variance. PAM and the patient's following of the news were predictors of AM (p≤0.022), accounting for 24% and 2% of the variance, respectively. Parental concern and awareness of measures had an important role in attitudes of adolescent orthodontic patients during the COVID-19 pandemic, while personality traits did not. The clinician should put additional emphasis on communication with the parent.