Symptoms In Parents Of Children Research Articles

Mental health and professional outcomes in parents of children with chronic kidney disease.

This study evaluated parenting stress, anxiety, and depression symptoms and their associated factors in parents of children with chronic kidney disease (CKD). This cross-sectional study compared parents of patients with CKD (0-18years) with a matched control group of parents of healthy children. Both groups completed the Parenting Stress Index - Short Form, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and a sociodemographic questionnaire. The study group consisted of 45 parents (median age 39; 32 mothers) of CKD patients (median age 8; 36% female). Nearly 75% of children had CKD stages 2, 3, or 4, and 44.5% had congenital anomaly of the kidney and urinary tract. Five children (11%) were on dialysis, and 4 (9%) had a functioning kidney graft. Compared with parents of healthy children, more stress and anxiety symptoms were reported. Since the CKD diagnosis, 47% of parents perceived a deterioration of their own health, and 40% reduced work on a structural basis. Higher levels of stress, anxiety, and depression symptoms were associated with a more negative perception of own health, and more child medical comorbidities and school absence. This study showed higher levels of parenting stress and anxiety symptoms in parents of children with CKD compared with parents of healthy children. This was associated with a less positive perception of their own health, especially if the child had more medical comorbidities or more absence from school. Psychosocial interventions to reduce the parental burden should be integrated in the standard care of pediatric nephrology departments.

274 Examining Composite Measures of Social Determinants of Health and their Relationship to Mental Health Symptoms in Parents of Children Hospitalized in the United States

OBJECTIVES/GOALS: The primary aim of this study is to explore the relationship between neighborhood deprivation index as measured by the Social Vulnerability Index (primary predictor) and anxiety and depression in primary caregivers of hospitalized children, measured using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (primary outcome). METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: Design: This descriptive, comparative, non-intervention, cross-sectional substudy is is a secondary analysis of survey data collected from parents of hospitalized children staying at Ronald McDonald Houses. Regression models will examine the relationship between a parent’s social determinants of health and their anxiety and depression in the context of their child’s hospitalization. Setting/Study population: Parents/primary caregivers were recruited from the following sites: RMH of the Greater Philadelphia Region, RMH of San Diego, RMH of Greater Cincinnati, RMH of the Bluegrass (Lexington, KY), and RMH of Alabama. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: In the DAG below I hypothesize the associations between the variables and anxiety and depression based on what has been reported in the literature. The analysis is in progress. [blob:https://acts.slayte.com/50293cb7-4274-49bb-998d-7601dffd23cb] DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE: Parents of hospitalized children experience a high burden of anxiety and depression. Pre-existing indicators of social determinants of health may contribute or compound parental anxiety and depression. A better understanding of this association can lead to improved screening and interventions to better support parents and their children.

Factors predicting depressive symptoms in parents of children with autism spectrum disorder in eastern China

BackgroundParents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are at a higher risk of depression than parents of typically developing children and those of children with other developmental disorders. Depression affects the well-being and quality of life of parents of children with ASD and has serious consequences for the long-term health outcomes of children with ASD. Therefore, this study explored the current status of depressive symptoms in parents of children with ASD in eastern China and further analyzed multiple aspects of the predictors of depressive symptoms.MethodsA multicenter cross-sectional survey was conducted among parents of children with ASD in the rehabilitation department of a large specialized hospital and 10 rehabilitation centers for children with special needs in Lianyungang, Jiangsu Province, Eastern China. A structured questionnaire that focused on child-related factors, parent-related factors, depressive symptoms, courtesy stigma, and social support was used to obtain data. Binary logistic regression was used to identify the independent predictors of depressive symptoms in parents of children with ASD.ResultsA total of 409 parents of children with ASD were recruited, of whom 18.8% had depressive symptoms. Parents of children with ASD who raised a child who spoke few to no words (odds ratio [OR]: 2.747, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.026–7.357), claimed a high economic burden (OR: 3.215, 95% CI: 1.234–8.379), reported no change or increased severity of ASD in their children (OR: 2.518, 95% CI: 1.108–5.720), and those with a higher courtesy stigma score (OR: 1.189, 95% CI: 1.093–1.294) were more likely to have depressive symptoms. Conversely, parents of children with ASD who were employed (OR: 0.427, 95% CI: 0.201–0.907), satisfied with their current marital status (OR: 0.429, 95% CI: 0.221–0.834), and those with a higher social support score (OR: 0.973, 95% CI: 0.950–0.996) were less likely to have depressive symptoms.ConclusionsDepressive symptoms are common in parents of children with ASD in eastern China. Therefore, screening and intervention for depressive symptoms in parents of children with ASD is necessary, especially for those with high-risk factors.

Parental anxiety and depression are associated with adverse mental health in children with special needs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to restrictions in various areas of life, including social life, work, leisure, health, and education. Vulnerable groups, such as children with special needs and their parents, may be at increased risk of experiencing exacerbated mental health problems during stressful periods such as the COVID-19 lockdowns. Telephone interviews were conducted with 954 parents of children with special needs. We assessed parental levels of generalized anxiety and depression using the validated GAD-7 and PHQ-8 scales. Parents were asked to rate family burden and their worry about the COVID-19 crisis, as well as their children's adverse mental health symptoms and health behaviors. Parents also reported their children's worries about the COVID-19 crisis. We conducted regressions to examine the relationship between parents' mental health problems and their children's adverse mental health symptoms and health behaviors. Qualitative data from open-ended questions were coded thematically and major themes of parental worry about the COVID-19 crisis were identified. Parental anxiety and depression symptoms predicted adverse mental health symptoms and behaviors in children with special needs. Criteria for current depression were met by 7.9% of parents of children with special needs, whereas 4.7% of the general population in Vorarlberg met the criteria for current depression according to data from the Austrian Health Interview Survey in 2019. Parental self-ratings of both depression and anxiety were highly correlated. The majority of parents reported being burdened (79.1%) or worried (67.8%) about the COVID-19 crisis. The main themes of parental worry about the COVID-19 crisis included COVID-19 infection (40.6%), economic situation (13.1%), uncertainty (8.4%), lack of social contact with family and friends (8.1%), family health status (7.5%), and school life (7.5%). Mental health symptoms in parents of children with special needs were strongly associated with increased adverse mental health symptoms and health behaviors in their children. Parents of children with special needs were more likely to be depressed during the COVID-19 pandemic than adults in 2019. We call for additional mental health support to reduce the mental health burden in families with children with special needs.

The Efficacy of Health Promotion Program Among Parents Who Had Children With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity-Disorder

Objectives: To explore the effect of health promotion program (HPP) on stress, quality of life, health-promoting lifestyles, and children’s attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms in parents of children with ADHD. Methods: Sixty parents of children with ADHD were equally randomized into the intervention (health promotion program) and control (usual care) groups. Outcomes included parents’ stress, quality of life, health-promoting lifestyles, and children’s ADHD symptoms before, immediately after, and 1, 3, and 6 months after the intervention. The GEE was used to evaluate the effectiveness. Results: The intervention group reported significant improvement in the children’s hyperactivity/impulse and opposition at the 6- and 3-month, respectively. Parental overall stress significantly improved at 3 and 6 months. Parents’ quality of life had significant effects at the immediate, 3-month, and 6-month. Self-actualization behavior for health-promoting lifestyles had significant effects at the immediate follow-up. Conclusion: HPP can promote the mental well-being of parents of children with ADHD.

Depressive, Anxiety, and Stress Symptoms in Parents of Children Being Admitted for Febrile Seizures in a Tertiary Hospital in the East Coast of Malaysia.

Febrile seizures in children are an alarming experience for parents. This study aimed to assess the psychological functioning of parents of children when they were being admitted for treatment of febrile seizures in the hospital, the importance of which is clear, since parents are the primary custodian of their children. This is a cross-sectional study conducted on 110 participants whose child had been admitted for a febrile seizure to Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia from September 2020 until June 2021. The depression, anxiety, and stress levels were determined based on a validated Bahasa Melayu questionnaire of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21). In addition, multiple logistic regression was used to determine the associated factors related to the participants' psychological functioning. The mean age of children with febrile seizures were 21 months old, and most children showed features of simple febrile seizures (71.8%). The prevalence of anxiety, stress, and depression were 58.2%, 29%, and 23.6%, respectively. Using multiple logistic regression, child age, family history of febrile seizures, family history of epilepsy, and length of stay in the ward were found to be significantly associated with anxiety when adjusted for other variables. Otherwise, for depression and stress, no significant associated variables were found when adjusted for other variables. Anxiety was highly reported by participants when their children were admitted for febrile seizures. Several factors impacted their anxiety, including the lower the child's age was, participants with no family history of febrile seizures before, and the longer duration of hospital stay. Therefore, further study and intervention on reducing the parent's anxiety could be emphasized in the future.

Prevalência de ansiedade e depressão em pais de crianças com transtorno do espectro autista durante a primeira onda da pandemia de COVID-19 no Nordeste do Brasil

ABSTRACT Objective: Estimate the prevalence of anxiety and depression symptoms in parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) during the first wave of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic, comparing them with parents of neurotypical children and with other mental disorders. Methods: Responses from 211 participants were collected from an online form about familial behavior during the pandemic, and the Portuguese version of the HADS scale (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale). Results: Anxiety symptoms were present in 51% of the sample and depression was present in 35.1%. The prevalence of depression and anxiety symptoms was 58% and 44.4% respectively in the group of parents of children from the ASD; 50.3% e 32.2% for parents of neurotypical children; and 40% and 35% in the group of parents of children with other mental disorders. Conclusions: The prevalence of anxiety and depression in parents during the pandemic was greater than that of before the pandemic period. The prevalence of anxiety symptoms, as well as the mean scores of anxiety and depression symptoms, were significantly higher for the group of parents of children with the ASD. The results point to the need for additional care for parents and caregivers of children with ASD, since the social isolation adopted as a measure to contain the pandemic seemed to pose as a risk factor for negative psychological effects especially in this group.

Intervention for Treating Depression in Parents of Children with Intellectual Disability of Down's Syndrome: A Sample of Nigerian Parents.

A good number of parents of children with Down syndrome are prone to depressive disorders. The depressive feelings are attributed to negative perceptions of the situation, self, and the future. Given this, we explored the impact of the family health model of rational-emotive behavior therapy on depressive symptoms in parents of children with intellectual disability of Down syndrome in the COVID-19 pandemic era. This is a randomized pretest–posttest control group design that recruited 88 parents of children with intellectual disability of Down syndrome. We measured the depressive symptoms in parents at Time 1, Time 2, and Time 3 using the Beck depressive inventory and Hamilton depression rating scale. We adopted a family health model rational emotive behaviour therapy intervention in treating the depressive symptoms affecting the parents. The analysis of covariate results showed that at initial assessment there was no significant difference between the treatment group and comparison group at baseline evaluation of depressive symptoms in participants. At the posttest, it had a significant effect on the intervention on participants’ depressive symptoms. Likewise, a follow-up result still shows that intervention had a significant effect on participants’ depressive symptoms of participants. In conclusion, this study suggests that treatment variable accounted for the effect in decreasing depressive symptoms scores of participants.

Self-reported Depressive Symptoms of school-age siblings of individuals with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): Findings from a Greek sample

IntroductionPrevious studies have shown elevated levels of depressive symptoms in parents of children with ASD. However, few studies have assessed depressive symptoms in neurotypical ASD-siblings and most have done so, within a broad age range, while studies focusing on a certain developmental stage (middle childhood in particular) using a self-report depression-specific assessment tool are sparse.Objectives This study aimed to investigate the depressive symptoms of Greek school-age neurotypical siblings of individuals with an Autism Spectrum Disorder through a self-reported questionnaire.Methods The sample included 85 school-age neurotypical ASD-siblings (8-13 years old). The Children’s Depression Inventory (CDI) and a demographics questionnaire were administered to all participants.ResultsResults showed that a considerable percentage of the sample (15.3%) scored twice as high as the mean score. ASD-siblings in the present study scored higher (mean total score in CDI was 7.24±6.27) than children of similar age and nationality. Further, 5.9% of the siblings in the present study exhibited severe depressive symptoms (using 19 as a threshold) whereas 12.9% of ASD-siblings scored above 15 and therefore should be further evaluated by mental health services.ConclusionsThe results of the present study documents a relatively high prevalence of depressive symptoms in neurotypical siblings of individuals with ASD. ASD-siblings showed higher levels of depressive symptoms compared to normative data. This is the first study addressing depressive symptoms in siblings of autistic children conducted in the Greek cultural context. The present study highlights the need for the development and implementation of appropriate and effective interventions within the Greek healthcare system for ASD-siblings.DisclosureNo significant relationships.

Effectiveness of a Mobile Device-Based Resilience Training Program in Reducing Depressive Symptoms and Enhancing Resilience and Quality of Life in Parents of Children With Cancer: Randomized Controlled Trial.

BackgroundCaring for children with cancer can be a stressful experience for parents and may have negative effects on their physical and psychological well-being. Although evidence has shown that resilience is associated with positive psychological well-being, few interventions have been specifically designed to enhance the resilience of parents of children with cancer.ObjectiveThe aim of this study is to examine the effectiveness of a mobile device–based resilience training program in reducing depressive symptoms and enhancing resilience and quality of life (QoL) in parents of children with cancer.MethodsParents of children diagnosed with cancer were recruited from the pediatric oncology wards of 3 tertiary hospitals in China. The participants were randomly assigned to either the experimental group (52/103, 50.5%) to undergo an 8-week mobile device–based resilience training program or to the control group (51/103, 49.5%) to receive an 8-week program of placebo information. The study outcomes included resilience, depressive symptoms, and QoL, as measured by the Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale, the Self-Rating Depression Scale, and the Short Form of the 6-Dimension Health Survey, respectively. All data were collected at baseline and at 2 and 6 months of follow-up. The data analysis followed the intention-to-treat principle. A generalized estimating equation was used to examine the effects of the intervention.ResultsThe participants were mostly female (72/103, 69.9%), and their mean age was 33.6 (SD 5.2) years. The participants in the experimental group showed significantly higher levels of resilience (mean 67.96, SD 15.8 vs mean 58.27, SD 19.0; P<.001) and lower levels of depressive symptoms (mean 40.17, SD 9.9 vs mean 46.04, SD 10.9; P<.001) than those in the control group at 6 months of follow-up. The intervention showed statistically significant effects in improving resilience (β=6.082; P=.01) and decreasing depressive symptoms (β=−2.772; P=.04) relative to the control group. The QoL score in the experimental group was higher than that in the control group at 6 months of follow-up (mean 0.79, SD 0.2 vs mean 0.76, SD 0.3; P=.07); however, no statistically significant intervention effect was detected (β=.020; P=.38).ConclusionsThe mobile device–based resilience training program effectively enhanced resilience and alleviated depressive symptoms in parents of children with cancer. It is highly recommended that health care professionals incorporate this resilience training program when providing psychological care to parents of children with cancer.Trial RegistrationClinical.Trials.gov NCT04038242; http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04038242

Caregiver burden versus intensity of anxiety and depression symptoms in parents of children with cerebral palsy as well as factors potentially differentiating the level of burden: a cross-sectional study (Poland)

ObjectivesTo assess the relationship between caregiver burden and severity of symptoms of anxiety/depression in parents of children with cerebral palsy (CP), and to identify factors differentiating the level of caregiver...

Assessment of intensity of posttraumatic stress symptoms in parents of children with blood cancer at different time points following diagnosis

In the recent years, there has been a remarkable progress in treatment of cancer in children. Nevertheless, it still remains a disease that represents a real threat to a child’s life. This threat as well as a deep fear for a child’s life which is strongly associated with it have a key impact on psychological difficulties experienced by parents at the time of establishing their child’s diagnosis and throughout therapy. Aim: The study was focused on assessment of the dynamics of posttraumatic symptoms intensity in parents of children suffering from blood cancers depending on a period of time that passed since the moment the disease was diagnosed. Materials and methods: A prospective study model was applied – the parents were assessed at three time points, i.e. up to one month (t1), six months (t2) and one year (t3) following their child’s diagnosis. The study included 47 parents of children diagnosed with leukaemia or lymphoma. The number of the subjects taking part in successive measurements was 32 (t2) and 31 (t3), respectively. The Impact of Event Scale – Revised (IES-R) was used to assess severity of posttraumatic stress symptoms in the parents. Results: Severity of posttraumatic stress symptoms in the parents decreased within one year following their child’s diagnosis. An analysis of intensity of particular dimensions of posttraumatic stress at the successive time points revealed their variability. The level of symptoms related to avoidance did not decrease significantly in the period between one and six months following the diagnosis, or between six months and one year following the diagnosis. Conclusions: The study results provide grounds for putting forward of recommendations concerning diagnostic and therapeutic measures. At the time of diagnosis, parents should be provided with special psychological intervention, whereas, at next stages of a child’s treatment, therapists should focus their attention mostly on avoidance symptoms and the role they play in the process of parents’ adaptation to their child’s illness.

Post-traumatic stress spectrum symptoms in parents of children affected by epilepsy: Gender differences

PurposeTo investigate psychopathological reaction to traumatic stress, addressing in particular gender difference, in parental couples of children affected by epilepsy. Methods50 mothers and 50 fathers, paired for one’s child, of children followed at the Pediatric Unit of a major Italian University Hospital with a diagnosis of epilepsy were enrolled, screened by means of the Semi-structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 (SCID-5) and filled the Trauma and Loss Spectrum Self-Report (TALS-SR), an international instrument to evaluate post-traumatic stress symptomatology. Results25 % of the total sample presented a diagnosis of PTSD with a statistically higher prevalence of mothers (36 % and 14 %, respectively; p = .021). Furthermore, 44 % (48 % mothers and 40 % fathers) presented a partial PTSD. Important gender differences emerged also for all cluster dimensions of the TALS-SR except for the Avoidance. Finally, the analysis of the single items of the TALS-SR evidenced that in mothers subgroup prevail cognitive symptoms of fear and sadness as well as somatic manifestations. ConclusionsOur results point out the differences between mothers and fathers in trauma response and underline the need to develop gender targeted models of healthcare prevention and assistance.

Assessment of Anxiety and Depression in Polish Primary Parental Caregivers of Children with Cerebral Palsy Compared to a Control Group, as well as Identification of Selected Predictors.

Background: Taking care of a child with Cerebral Palsy (CP) may be linked with adverse effects in the parents’ physical and mental health. The causes of anxiety and depression symptoms associated with childcare are still not fully understood. Aim: To assess the intensity of anxiety and depression symptoms in parents of children with CP compared to a control group and to identify selected mental health predictors. Design and Methods: Data were collected from 301 respondents, including 190 parents of children with CP (study group) and 111 parents taking care of children developing normally (control group). Intensity of anxiety and depression was rated using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) scale. Gross Motor Function Classification System for Cerebral Palsy (GMFCS), Sense of Coherence Scale (SOC-29), Berlin Support Social Scales (BSSS) scales and a specially designed questionnaire were used to assess the predictors. The investigated variables included the children’s and the parents’ characteristics, as well as environmental factors. The analyses applied Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient, M(SD) as well as multiple regression. Results: The level of anxiety and depression was clearly higher in the parents of children with CP–the mean levels of anxiety and depression in the study group and the controls amounted to 8.1 vs. 4.7 and 6.8 vs. 3.7, respectively. The factors associated with intensity of anxiety and depression in the parents of children with CP included lack of social support, mainly perceived and received support, unsatisfying parental health status, poor economic status of the family, as well as difficult living conditions, sense of coherence, loneliness, the parent’s gender, and the child’s intellectual disability. Conclusions: Identification of significant anxiety and depression predictors, understood as modifiable factors, should be considered in determining and planning comprehensive support for a child with CP and his/her primary parental caregiver.

Predictors of parental distress during acute phase of pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in Japan: A multicenter prospective study.

The purposes of this study were (1) to describe the levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms in parents of children undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) before (Time 1 [T1]) and one month after transplantation (Time 2 [T2]), and (2) to identify the pre-HSCT factors that predict anxiety and depressive symptoms in fathers and mothers one month after transplantation. A prospective quantitative study was conducted at four children's hospitals between June 2015 and September 2016 using self-administered questionnaires and medical records. Parents from 23 families, including 19 fathers and 23 mothers, completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (cutoff score: 8) and provided information regarding their stress appraisal, coping strategies, family functioning, demographic characteristics, and children's health-related quality of life. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis was performed to identify the variables that predicted T2 paternal and maternal anxiety and depressive symptoms. Among the parents, 15 fathers (79%) and 11 mothers (48%) reported anxiety symptoms, and 13 fathers (68%) and 9 mothers (39%) reported depressive symptoms above the cutoff level for clinical relevance at T1. Similarly, 11 fathers (58%) and 6 mothers (26%) reported anxiety symptoms, and 10 fathers (53%) and 9 mothers (39%) reported depressive symptoms above the cutoff level at T2. Overall, parents' anxiety and depressive symptoms did not differ significantly between T1 and T2. For fathers, both T1 depressive symptoms and the understanding of their children's medical situation through communication with other parents and consultation with medical staff predicted T2 paternal depressive symptoms. For mothers, T1 maternal anxiety symptoms and marital satisfaction predicted T2 anxiety symptoms. The medical staff should understand that parents of children undergoing HSCT experience considerable psychological distress throughout the treatment process, and therefore, they should adopt unique approaches to reduce such distress.

Featured Article: Depressive Symptoms in Parents of Children With Chronic Health Conditions: A Meta-Analysis.

Caring for children with chronic health conditions is associated with stressors that may impair mental health. The goal of our meta-analysis was to analyze depressive symptoms among parents who care for a child or adolescent with chronic physical disease and/or sensory disability and/or physical disability compared with parents of healthy children or test norms. A systematic search through electronic databases identified 460 relevant studies that were included in a random-effects meta-analysis. Parents of children with chronic conditions showed small to moderate elevations of depressive symptoms compared with parents of healthy/nondisabled children and test norms (g = .46 SD units). Twelve studies using structured clinical interviews provided a weighted mean depression rate of 20.9%. The highest elevations were found among parents of young people with neuromuscular disorders, cancer, and cerebral palsy. Elevations of depressive symptoms were greater in cases with shorter durations of the chronic condition, in mothers compared with fathers, and in parents from economically less developed countries rather than developed countries. Parents of children with chronic conditions, particularly parents of children with neuromuscular disorders, cancer, and cerebral palsy, should be screened for depression and receive psychosocial services aimed at reducing these symptoms, if needed.

Life Transition Process Effects on Depressive Symptoms in Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Life Transition Process Effects on Depressive Symptoms in Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Featured Article: Trajectories of Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms in Parents of Children With a Serious Childhood Illness or Injury.

Serious childhood illness is associated with significant parent psychological distress. This study aimed to (a) document acute and posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) in parents of children with various life-threatening illnesses; (b) identify trajectory patterns of parental PTSS and recovery over 18 months; (c) determine psychosocial, demographic, and illness factors associated with trajectory group membership. In total, 159 parents (115 mothers, 44 fathers) from 122 families participated in a prospective, longitudinal study that assessed parent psychological responses across four time points-at diagnosis, and 3, 6, and 18 months later. Children were admitted to the Cardiology, Oncology, and Pediatric Intensive Care Departments in a tertiary pediatric hospital. The primary outcome was parent PTSS. Three distinct parent recovery profiles were identified-"Resilient," "Recovery," and "Chronic." The "Resilient" class (33%) showed low distress responses across the trajectory period, whereas the "Recovery" class (52%) showed significantly higher levels of distress at the time of diagnosis that gradually declined over the first months following their child's illness. Both of these classes nevertheless remained within the normative range throughout. In contrast, the "Chronic" class (13%) was consistently high in severity, remaining within the clinical range across the entire period. Psychosocial factors such as mood, anxiety, and emotional responses predicted group membership, whereas demographic and illness factors did not. Parents show considerable resilience in the face of children's life-threatening illnesses. Early assessment of parent psychosocial factors may aid identification of those who would benefit from early intervention.

Post traumatic stress symptoms in parents of children with cancer: A mediation model

Objective: Caregivers of pediatric cancer patients are at risk for posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS). Previous literature has identified caregiver illness uncertainty as a predictor of PTSS, yet little is known about the mechanism by which illness uncertainty may affect PTSS. Rumination, or perseverations about the cause and consequences of an event, has been related to posttraumtic stress disorder in other populations. However, limited research of this relationship exists for pediatric cancer caregivers. Further, no studies have evaluated rumination in relation to illness uncertainty. The current study examined rumination in relation to illness uncertainty and PTSS in caregivers with children actively receiving treatment for cancer. It was hypothesized that rumination would be related to illness uncertainty and would mediate the relationship between illness uncertainty and PTSS. Methods: Caregivers (N = 59) completed the Parent Perception of Uncertainty Scale, Ruminative Responses Scale, and the Impact of Event Scale-Revised. Results: illness uncertainty was identified as a significant predictor of rumination (B = 0.148, p = .015), and rumination was a significant predictor of PTSS (B = 1.83, p < .001). Biased-corrected bootstrap regression analysis revealed that rumination mediated the relationship between illness uncertainty and PTSS (R2 = 0.53, p < .001). Conclusions: Rumination was identified as a mediator between the relationship of illness uncertainty and PTSS. These findings underscore the importance of rumination in caregivers of children with cancer, as a potential construct for identifying caregivers at risk of PTSS, and as a possible mechanism for targeted intervention.

The Influences of Parenting Stress, Children Behavioral Problems and Children Quality of Life on Depression Symptoms Among Parents of Children with Autism: Preliminary Findings

Taking care of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) could be a demanding task for parents. Consequently, parents of children with ASD may experience parenting stress and depression symptoms. This study examined parenting stress and depression symptoms among parents of children and adolescents with ASD. This study also examined the role of child characteristics (e.g., age, child quality of life and problem behavior) on parenting stress and depression symptoms and the effect of parenting stress on parental depression. A total of 78 parents were examined using a questionnaire survey. The result indicated that parents caring a younger age group of children with ASD have higher levels of depression symptoms compared to parents caring for older group of children with ASD. The result also revealed a significant difference in level of depression symptoms between parents with higher levels of parenting stress and parents with lower parenting stress. Only the children age significantly predicts depression symptoms in parents of children with ASD. This indicates that children age is potential to affect mental health among parents of children with ASD. DOI : http://dx.doi.org./10.17576/JSKM-2018-19