Stressor For Mothers Research Articles

Intergenerational impact of childhood trauma on hair cortisol concentrations in mothers and their young infants

BackgroundAlterations in stress regulation and function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis during infancy may be a risk factor for the development of psychopathology later in life. Maternal childhood trauma, depression, anxiety and stressful life events are individually associated with HPA axis dysregulation. Less is known about their interdependent influence on maternal and infant stress regulation in at risk populations. In a sample of mothers with a history of depressive-, and/or anxiety disorders and their infants we explored if a history of maternal childhood trauma, current depressive and anxiety symptomatology, and recent life events were associated with maternal and infant long-term cortisol levels three months postpartum. MethodsData were available of 89 mothers and 49 infants. All mothers fulfilled criteria for a lifetime depressive or anxiety disorder. Diagnosis was established with a diagnostic interview. Current depressive symptomatology was assessed with the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), current anxiety with the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), maternal childhood trauma with the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) and recent life events with the Everyday Problem Checklist (EPC). Maternal and infant hair cortisol concentrations (HCC) were quantified with liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) three months after birth. Total scores of the CTQ and subscales, EPDS, STAI, and EPC were regressed on maternal and infant HCC using regression analyses. Differences in HCC regarding trauma history were tested with t-tests. Potential confounders were identified and adjusted for. ResultsIn regression analyses, a positive curvilinear relationship was found between CTQ total score and maternal HCC (n = 83, B = 0.076, SE 0.033, p = .021), but not for current depression (n = 88, B = −0.001, SE 0.011, p = .931), current anxiety (n = 88, B = 0.002, SE 0.004, p = .650) or recent life events (n = 89, B = 0.018, SE 0.032, p = .568). Analyses were adjusted for confounders. A negative linear relationship was found between maternal CTQ score and infant HCC (n = 49, β = −0.264, B = −0.006, SE 0.003, p = .052), but not for current maternal depression (n = 45, β = −0.182, B = −0.011, SE 0.008, p = .164), current maternal anxiety (n = 45, β = −0.209, B = −0.005, SE 0.003, p = .113) or recent life events (n = 46, β = −0.128, B = −0.022, SE 0.023, p = .325). Analyses were adjusted for relevant infant hair characteristics. Specifically, maternal emotional and physical neglect were related to HCC in both mothers and infants. ConclusionsResults suggest that maternal childhood trauma is more prominent in altering maternal and infant long-term cortisol levels than perinatal depressive and anxiety symptomatology or recent life stressors in mothers with a history of depressive and/or anxiety disorders, and their infants. As infants of mothers with psychopathology are at increased risk for later psychiatric disease, future studies should investigate the interplay of possible risk factors for transgenerational transmission, intra-uterine programming of the HPA axis, including (epi-)genetic phenomena, of the HPA axis, and the influence of parenting impairment.

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Background:Autism is a developmental disorder whose behavioral characteristics range on a continuum from mild to severe. It is characterized by an impairment in the development of reciprocal social and communication skills, abnormal language development, and a restricted repertoire of behaviors and interests. Autism is typically not diagnosed prior to age 2 or 3 years and the prognosis is often poor. Because autism seriously affects multiple domains, it is a challenging disorder to understand and treat.The key to advanced treatment and technology is early detection of autism. Recognizing the early signs can be a challenge for parents and healthcare professionals (American Psychiatric Association, 2000). Experts say there are red flags in a child's early development that may lead to identifying an autistic spectrum disorder as early as 12 to 18 months of age (American Psychiatric Association, 2000)Aims and objectives: To understand the socio-demographic background of the children being diagnosed with autism. To find out if there is any correlation between antenatal physical and mental stressors in mothers and their children developing autism. As there are many studies on diet influencing development of autism, to understand the feeding patterns of the autism children.Method:The required data of about 50 children attending Out-patient department of Child Psychiatry, Niloufer Hospital, Hyderabad was recorded and the data was analysed by a professional statistician.Results:The socio-demographic trends were similar to those of previous studies. Around 90% of mothers had at least one complication during the pregnancy with Hypermesis being most significant.Conclusion:There is need to create awareness among parents, obstetricians, pediatricians about the risk factors and signs of autism so that the children can be diagnosed as early as possible and intervene for the best outcome.

The Effect of Mindfulness on the Family Well-Being in Mother who Works as a Nurse

Background : Mothers who work as nurses are one of the vulnerable groups and are at risk of imbalance of roles in work and family due to multiple roles. The dual role requires working mothers to carry out their duties as mothers and wives at home, while at work can carry out duties as nurses. This is a stressor for mothers who work as nurses in adapting to their roles. This condition can reduce family well-being by decreasing the relationship of family structure, the ability of the role and function of the mother in the family, and the ability to prevent family vulnerability. Interventions that can be carried out to improve the family well-being are Mindfulness STOP (Stop, Take a Breath, Observed, Proceed). Objective : This study aimed to determine the effect of mindfulness on family well-being in mothers who work as nurses at X Hospital Semarang. Method : The design of this study was a quasi-experiment pre-post test with a control group, involving 52 respondents obtained by purposive sampling technique based on the results of inclusion criteria screening, consisting of 26 respondents in the intervention group (given Mindfulness exercises) and 26 respondents in the control group (without treatment). Mindfulness STOP is given for 4 sessions totaling 4 meetings in 1 month. Data analysis used Wilcoxon and Mann-Whitney tests. Results : The results of this study are mindfulness effect on improving family well-being in the intervention group of mothers who work as nurses with a p-value of 0 . 000. Conclusion : The conclusion of this research is mindfulness can improve family well-being in mothers who work as nurses. Mindfulness is recommended as an intervention to improve employee well-being, especially in carrying out roles in the family and as a basis for further research

Predictors of maternal stress in pre-school and school-aged children with autism

ABSTRACTBackground: Mothers of children with autism experience high levels of stress. However, little is known about whether maternal stressors differ across children of different ages.Method: This study investigated stressors in mothers of 29 pre-school-aged and 27 school-aged children with autism. Correlation and regression analyses were used to determine if maternal stressors differed between the two age groups.Results: Findings revealed no difference in maternal stress levels across the two age groups; however, stressors for each age group were different. Stressors in the school-aged group were related to repetitive behaviours, sensory sensitivities, and problematic behaviours, while stressors in the pre-school-aged group were mainly related to adaptive behaviours.Conclusions: These findings are informative for practitioners and highlight the need for tailored supports and therapies for mothers of children with autism of different ages.

Estresse em mães e cuidadoras de crianças e adolescentes com asma: um estudo sobre a frequência do estresse e fatores estressores

O objetivo deste trabalho foi descrever a frequência do estresse e identificar fatores estressores em mães e cuidadoras de crianças e adolescentes com asma, atendidas em um ambulatório público de pneumologia pediátrica do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. Realizou-se estudo observacional, descritivo, quantitativo e qualitativo com 53 mães e cuidadoras de crianças/adolescentes com idades entre 2 e 12 anos que apresentavam diagnóstico de asma. Os resultados demonstraram a presença de níveis de estresse em 86,8% das entrevistadas. Houve associação entre o estresse e o tempo da primeira crise de asma da criança/adolescente, tempo de uso do medicamento, quantidade de estressores em relação à asma infantil e a escolaridade das mães/cuidadoras. Foram identificados como estressores fatores familiares, sociais, econômicos e emocionais, incluindo o cuidado da criança com asma. Identificar os fatores estressores relacionados à asma torna-se importante passo para a compreensão da doença, para a condução do tratamento nas crianças e, consequentemente, para o gerenciamento do estresse.

Associations with ADHD and parental distress with in play in early childhood

According to Papoušek (2004), "disinterests in play" in early childhood is a possible early indicator of AD(H)D at school age. The phenomenon of disinterest in play is associated with psychological distress in parents and children as well as with disturbances in the parent-child-relationships Papoušek, 2003. We investigated the association between disinterest in play in early childhood and AD(H)D and their associations with maternal distress. Mothers of 35 children with AD(H)D [age: M (SD)= 9.0 (1.1) years; males: 30 (85.7 %)] and mothers of 42 children without AD(H)D [age: M (SD) = 8.8 (1.0) years; males: 35 (83.3 %)] gave their written informed consent to participate in the study. Using a questionnaire on the ability to play during the first 4 years of age, subjects were grouped into 39 children with lower interest in play and 38 children with higher interest in play. Maternal stress was assessed using a German adaptation of the Parenting Stress Index Abidin, 1995. The rate of AD(H)D and maternal stress was significantly higher in the group of children with lower interest in play. Mothers of children showing both AD(H)D and lower interest in play scored highest, mothers of children presenting neither behavior disorder scored lowest. The results agree with the assumption that disinterest in play in early childhood is associated with the development of AD(H)D and an additional stressor for mothers.

Stressful life events and daily stressors affect awakening cortisol level in midlife mothers of individuals with autism spectrum disorders

Objectives: The current study examines the awakening cortisol level in midlife mothers (M = 51.4 years old, SD = 8.4) of individuals (M = 22.1 years old, SD = 7.1) with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) under stressful conditions that are not specific to their son or daughter's ASD symptoms. Methods: In addition to completing a set of questionnaires and in-home interviews, 82 mothers from the Adolescents and Adults with Autism Study (AAA) participated in a Daily Diary Study. Results: Findings from the multilevel models indicated that mothers who previously were exposed to no negative life events in the previous period had an increased awakening cortisol level on days following a greater number and more severe stressors, a normative stress response. In contrast, we observed a flatter cortisol level of daily stressors in mothers who experienced a greater number of negative life events in the previous period. Conclusion: These findings highlight the sustained toll that global and everyday stressors have on awakening cortisol level of midlife and aging mothers of individuals with ASD.

Family-centred care in the paediatric intensive care unit

The aim was to assess emotional support given to mothers of children in intensive care units (ICUs) and make recommendations to nurse managers regarding family-centred nursing care in paediatric ICUs in South Africa. Family-centred care is an essential component of paediatric care. Nurse managers should enhance implementation and sustainability to ensure quality care. A quantitative descriptive research design was used. Structured interviews using questionnaires were conducted with 62 mothers whose children were nursed in ICUs in Bloemfontein. Fifteen stressors for mothers were identified and emotional support for mothers in ICU's was assessed and described. Analysis indicated that COPE (Creating Opportunities for Parent Empowerment) can be used within the South African context to enhance family-centred paediatric nursing care. Competencies of nurse practitioners and other staff involved must be improved and the seriousness and importance of emotional support as part of family-centred care should be emphasized. Nurse managers should take responsibility for the training of staff in implementing COPE as a possible empowerment programme in Paediatric ICUs to ensure that emotional support is not neglected.

Effects of stress on mothers of hospitalized children in a hospital in iran.

Hospitalization of a child can cause severe anxiety and stress in the parents, especially for the mother. This stress consequently affects the treatment course of the child. Hereby, we investigate the impact of different stressors in mothers of hospitalized children. In this cross-sectional study, 225 mothers of hospitalized children in the pediatric ward of Besat hospital were randomly selected and studied. Data collection tool was a two-part questionnaire gathered by interviewing the mother. The first part included demographic information of the patients. The second part included questions regarding stressors in four different categories; child-related factors, environmental factors, socioeconomic factors and health professional factors. SPSS 16.5 was used for statistical analysis and data were analyzed by one way ANOVA and T test. In the child-related factor category, fear of child death (84%); in the socioeconomic factor category, fear of disease in the other siblings (84%); in the environmental factor category, unpleasant odors in the ward (56%); and in the health professional category, not enough explanation about inserting IV lines, (54.2%) constituted the most important factors. There was a meaningful correlation between the stressors and the mothers' age and occupation, child age, days of hospitalization, types of admission and health insurance coverage, but there was no meaningful correlation between stressors and other factors. Professional and in depth training programs should be provided for health care providers and nursing staff regarding dealing with mothers of hospitalized children.

The Effects of Children’s Criminality on Mothers of Offenders

This exploratory study sought to understand the effects of criminality on mothers of offenders. Semistructured in-depth interviews were used to gather data from 27 mothers. Respondents reported that their children’s criminality leads to a series of complications and stressors in mothers’ lives, including physical, psychological, relational, social, and economic effects. Mothers also reported on offenders’ relationships with their fathers and the stigma of criminality. The destructive impact of a child’s criminality, and the need for support for offenders’ families, particularly their mothers, is evident. Peer support, social service networking, and improved criminal justice response are suggested as means to assist mothers.

就学前の自閉症児をもつ母親のストレッサーの構造

本研究は、就学前の知的障害児通園施設の在籍児童の母親230名を対象に、就学前の自閉症児をもつ母親のストレッサーについて明らかにした。230名の母親は、自閉症児をもつ母親(自閉群)115名とそれ以外の母親(非自閉群)115名に分けられ、ストレッサーの相違が明らかにされた。質問紙法による調査の結果は次のようになった。(1)就学前の自閉症児をもつ母親のストレッサーには、「問題行動」「サポート不足」「愛着困難」「否定的感情」という4つの因子が見いだされた。(2)「問題行動」「愛着困難」因子に関しては、自閉群のほうが非自閉群よりも因子得点が有意に高かった。「サポート不足」「否定的感情」因子は両群に有意差はみられなかった。(3)ストレス反応の得点は、自閉群のほうが非自閉群に比べて有意に高かった。本研究によって、愛着の視点も含まれた就学前の自閉症児をもつ母親のストレッサー尺度が新たに作成された。

Impact of Community Mentors on Maternal Behaviors and Child Outcomes

Play and Learning Strategies (PALS), a research-based parent education and support program, was delivered to families with low income via home visiting using a facilitator. Facilitators completed 12 home visits addressing responsive parenting, behavioral support, language stimulation, and support of attentional skills. This report compares PALS to M-PALS, a program that included a community mentor in addition to a facilitator. Community mentoring provided modeling of parenting skills and supportive services to decrease external stressors for mothers. Mothers who participated in the M-PALS and PALS programs for longer durations demonstrated more responsive behaviors. Mothers in the M-PALS program also had greater increases in verbal scaffolding and their children showed greater gains in cognitive scores. Verbal scaffolding was a mediating factor for child cognitive outcomes. Mentoring impacted child changes indirectly and should be studied further to determine other beneficial functions mentors might serve.

The role of social support and stressors for mothers and infants.

This correlational study of mothers and their 6-month-old infants examined the importance of social support and stressors for parenting and infant development. Mothers (n = 79) were primarily White, married, and ranged in socio-economic status from low to high. All data were collected in mothers' homes when infants were 6 months old. Diversity of sources of social support and diversity of father support were positively related to parenting (quality of stimulation in the home). Diversity of sources of social support buffered the negative relationship of maternal fatigue (stressor) to parenting. Parenting was related to social, hearing-speech, locomotor, and general development. Additionally, social support and aggravation (people in the mother's said network who make life difficult) were related to infant development, independent of parenting.

Physiological responses to non-child-related stressors in mothers at risk for child abuse

Physical child abusers and adults at risk for child abuse, relative to comparison subjects, are reported to be more physiologically reactive to child-related Stressors. It is not known if the reported physiological reactivity is child specific or if physical child abusers and at-risk parents are also more reactive to other types of stressful stimuli. The present study investigated changes in heart rate and skin conductance in response to four types of non-child-related Stressors in at-risk and matched low-risk mothers. The four types of stressful stimuli were: a cold presser; a stressful film depicting industrial accidents; unsolvable anagrams; and an aversive car horn. At-risk mothers, relative to low-risk mothers, had greater and more prolonged sympathetic activation during presentations of the cold pressor and the stressful film, the stimuli rated as the most stressful. The present data, combined with previous findings, support the view that generalized sympathetic activation to both child and non-child-related Stressors may serve as a mediator of physical child abuse.