scholarly journals Parental Stress and Disability in Offspring: A Snapshot during the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 1040
Author(s):  
Martina Siracusano ◽  
Assia Riccioni ◽  
Leonardo Emberti Gialloreti ◽  
Eugenia Segatori ◽  
Lucrezia Arturi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Parental Stress ◽  
Neurodevelopmental Disorders ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Stress Index ◽  
Sotos Syndrome ◽  
Typical Development ◽  
Genetic Syndromes ◽  
Neurodevelopmental Disabilities

Parenting a child with a disability, such as neurodevelopmental disorders and genetic syndromes, implies a high level of stress. During the COVID-19 outbreak—as a period implying additional challenges—few studies have specifically investigated caregivers’ distress among neurodevelopmental disabilities. The objective of the study is to investigate whether during the COVID-19 pandemic, the level of parental stress differs between four disability groups including neurodevelopmental disorders (autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)) and genetic syndromes (Rett syndrome (RTT), Sotos syndrome (SS)) in comparison to families with typical development offspring (TD). In total, 220 Italian parents of children affected by neurodevelopmental disabilities (74 ASD, 51 ADHD, 34 SS, 21 RTT, 40 TD; age M 9.4 ± SD 4.2) underwent a standardized evaluation for stress related to parenting through the self-report questionnaire, Parental Stress Index-Short Form (PSI-SF). The main findings show greater levels of parental stress—mainly linked to child behavioral characteristics rather than parental sense of competence—in parents of children affected by a disability in comparison to children with typical development. This study highlights the need to support not only individuals with special needs but also their own caregivers: core figures in the management and outcome of children disorders.

scholarly journals 1. Neuropsychiatric disorders and parental stress during the covid-19 pandemic: an Italian retrospective longitudinal study

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 5-9
Author(s):  
Grazia Maria Giovanna Pastorino ◽  
Francesca Operto ◽  
Valeria De Simone ◽  
Valentina Vivenzio ◽  
Chiara Scuoppo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Behavioral Problems ◽  
Parental Stress ◽  
Telephone Interview ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Neuropsychiatric Disorders ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Stress Index ◽  
Daily Routine ◽  
The Impact

Aim: The objective of our study is to evaluate the impact that the COVID-19 emergency and the related measures adopted have had on the family management of minors with neuropsychiatric disorders. Another objective of this study is to carry out a first longitudinal evaluation of this impact on parental stress, comparing the data collected before the pandemic with those collected during the lockdown. Methods: This is an observational study that involved 271 families of patients already treated at the Child Neuropsychiatry Unit of the Salerno University Hospital between 2 and 23 years (112 with Autism Spectrum Disorder, 86 with epilepsy and 73 with other disorders of neurodevelopment). All participants were given an ad hoc telephone interview and a standardized questionnaire (PSI - Parenting Stress Index-Short Form). The telephone interview showed that a significant percentage of parents reported an increase in their child's daily management difficulties during the lock-down and emotional / behavioral problems, in particular the externalizing disorder. Comparison of the mean scores of the PSI-SF questionnaires completed before and during the lockdown showed a statistically significant increase in scores in the Total Stress scale and in the Parental Distress subscales. Results & Conclusion: The results of our study suggest that the confinement measures and changes in daily routine imposed by quarantine negatively affected the behavioral and emotional dimensions of both children and parents causing a significant increase in parental stress, which is mainly related to feelings of inadequacy in relation to their role in such a delicate situation, and concern for the future.

scholarly journals RELACIÓN ENTRE ESTRÉS PARENTAL Y HABILIDADES LINGÜÍSTICAS EN NIÑOS CON TEA

2016 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 105
Author(s):  
Irene Puchol Fraile ◽  
Mª Inmaculada Fernández Andrés ◽  
Gemma Pastor Cerezuela ◽  
Pilar Sanz Cervera ◽  
Eva Herraiz Llongo
Keyword(s):  
Parenting Stress ◽  
Parental Stress ◽  
Expressive Language ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Stress Index ◽  
Typical Development ◽  
Parenting Stress Index ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Linguistic Skills ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract:The objectives of this study were: 1) Compare the perceived parental stress between a group of parents of children with ASD and a group of parents of children with typical development. The rest of the objectives are focused on the analysis of the ASD group.2) Compare the perceived parental stress between the parents of the ASD children with language and the parents of the ASD children without language. 3) Analyze the relationship between the perceived parental stress and the child’s receptive linguistic skills. 4) Analyze the relationship between the perceived parental stress and the child’s expressive linguistic skills. The Parenting Stress Index scale (the child domain) was used to evaluate the parental stress. The main results obtained were: 1) Parental stress in the parents of ASD children was higher than in the parents of the children with typical development. 2) There was no significant difference on the perceived parental stress between the parents of ASD children with and without language. 3) Parental stress showed a statistically significant relation with some of the evaluated variables, both receptive and expressive language. Thus, the child’ limitations on language skills were linked to a higher parental stress in the child domain, particularly the one obtained in the Acceptability subscale, relative to the parental expectations about the child’s capacities. This result is discussed in the context of the importance that our culture gives to the achievement motivation and the possible connection of this with parental stress.Keywords:  Autism Spectrum Disorder, expressive language, parental stress, receptive language.Resumen:Los objetivos de este estudio fueron: 1) Comparar el estrés parental percibido entre un grupo de padres de niños con TEA y un grupo de padres de niños de desarrollo típico. El resto de objetivos se centraron en el análisis del grupo con TEA. 2) Comparar el estrés parental percibido entre los padres de niños TEA con lenguaje y los padres de niños TEA sin lenguaje. 3) Analizar la relación entre el estrés parental percibido y las habilidades lingüísticas receptivas del niño. 4) Analizar la relación entre el estrés parental percibido y las habilidades lingüísticas expresivas del niño. Para evaluar el estrés parental se utilizó la escala Parenting Stress Index (dominio del niño). Los principales resultados obtenidos  fueron: 1) Un nivel de estrés parental superior en los padres de niños TEA que en los padres de niños de desarrollo típico. 2) No hubo diferencia significativa en el nivel de estrés parental percibido entre los padres de niños TEA con y sin lenguaje. 3) El estrés parental mostró una relación estadísticamente significativa con algunas de las variables evaluadas, tanto de lenguaje receptivo como expresivo. Así, las limitaciones en las competencias lingüísticas del niño se vincularon con un mayor estrés parental asociado a las características del niño, y en particular, el obtenido en la subescala de aceptabilidad, relativa a las expectativas parentales sobre las capacidades del niño. Se discute este resultado en el marco de la importancia que nuestra cultura otorga a la consecución de metas de logro y la posible vinculación que este hecho podría presentar con el estrés parental.Palabras clave: Trastorno del Espectro Autista, estrés parental, lenguaje expresivo, lenguaje receptivo.

Parental stress and resilience in autism spectrum disorder and Down syndrome

2020 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gemma Pastor-Cerezuela ◽  
Maria-Inmaculada Fernández-Andrés ◽  
David Pérez-Molina ◽  
Amparo Tijeras-Iborra
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Down Syndrome ◽  
Parental Stress ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Stress Index ◽  
Typical Development ◽  
Resilience Scale ◽  
The Relationship

The aim of this study was to compare parental stress and resilience in parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), Down syndrome (DS), and typical development (TD), and analyze the relationship between these two constructs. A total of 97 parents participated (ASD: n = 32, DS: n = 23, and TD: n = 42). The instruments used were the Parental Stress Index and the Resilience Scale. The ASD group obtained higher parental stress related to the child’s characteristics but not related to the parents’ characteristics. The three groups obtained moderate resilience, and high resilience was associated with low parental stress in the ASD and DS groups. The higher parental stress obtained in the ASD group, compared to the DS group, was not associated with aspects related to the parents or demographic and social factors of the families but rather with aspects related to the child and the characteristics of each disorder, as perceived by the parents.

Couple satisfaction and parenting stress in parents of children with ASD

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. S685-S685
Author(s):  
V. Guerriero ◽  
I. Fioravanti ◽  
M. Petrillo ◽  
M. Di Renzo ◽  
G.C. Zavattini
Keyword(s):  
Relationship Satisfaction ◽  
Parenting Stress ◽  
Parental Stress ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Dyadic Adjustment ◽  
Stress Index ◽  
Couple Satisfaction ◽  
Couple Adjustment

IntroductionLiterature on parents’ adjustment in families with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) children highlights on one hand that raising a child with ASD represent a higher stressful experience comparing to families of children with other disabilities and families of children with typical development. On the other hand, a recent systematic review on relationship satisfaction of these parents stressed the very lower levels of couple satisfaction in parents raising a child with ASD. Give that, the aim of this study is to investigate the association between relationship satisfaction and parental stress in a sample of parents of ASD children.Method70 parents were recruited (34 = M and 36 = F) to sign the following self-reports: Parenting stress index-short-form (PSI-SF), to assess stress relative to parental role, and dyadic adjustment scale (DAS), to assess couple satisfaction.ResultsThe analysis showed no differences between mothers and fathers respect to investigated variables. Negative correlations between almost all subscales of the PSI-SF and the subscales of DAS emerged. Moreover, from the regression analysis performed, it can be concluded that the values of the total score of the DAS predicts the PSI-SF total score.ConclusionsIn accordance with and building on the achievements of previous studies, these data illustrate a positive influence of couple adjustment on parental stress in parents of ASD children, supporting the hypothesis that relationship satisfaction emerge as a protective variables in the process of parental adaptation.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Parental stress in autistic parents: The counseling effects

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. s787-s787
Author(s):  
R. Ferrara ◽  
M. Esposito
Keyword(s):  
Parental Stress ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Stress Index ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Parental Distress ◽  
Counseling Intervention ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Treatment Centre ◽  
Competing Interest

IntroductionIn parents of autistic children there are high levels of stress. For parents, counseling can help them face the world of autism through the many stressors they experiment.ObjectivesTo evidence a possible effect of the counseling intervention on parental stress.MethodsThe sample consisted of 24 parents (mean age = 38.7) of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder related to the treatment centre “Una breccia nel muro”. Parents’ group was randomly divided into two subgroups, the first (EG experimental group) consists in 12 parents, which were included in a counseling treatment of six months (one meeting of 2 hours every 15 days), while the other subgroup parents, (CG control group) were not included. We used parenting stress index–short form (PSI-SF) before counseling intervention (T0) and after (T1) with every parent. PSI values stress level in following scales: parental distress (PD), parent-child dysfunctional interaction (PCDI) and difficult child characteristics (DC). Figure 1 shows all the variables in each group at T0 and T1.ResultsThen a 2-tail t-test was separately carried out for each group (Counseling Yes; Counseling No). Counseling Yes: PD (t22 = .70, P = .49); PCDI (t22 = .72, P = .47); DC (t22 = 2.23, P = .03); Tot Stress (t22 = 1.04, P = .3). Counseling No: PD (t22 = .82, P = .42); PCDI (t22 = 1.7, P = .09); DC (t22 = .59, P = .56); Tot Stress (t22 = .72, P = .48)ConclusionsOur data confirm the positive effects of counseling especially on the difficulties related to children (DC scale).Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Neurodevelopmental disorders among Spanish school-age children: prevalence and sociodemographic correlates

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Rosa Bosch ◽  
Mireia Pagerols ◽  
Cristina Rivas ◽  
Laura Sixto ◽  
Laura Bricollé ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neurodevelopmental Disorders ◽  
Rating Scales ◽  
Communication Disorders ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Motor Disorder ◽  
School Type ◽  
Final Population ◽  
Prevalence Estimates ◽  
Sociodemographic Correlates

Abstract Background Prevalence estimates of neurodevelopmental disorders (ND) are essential for treatment planning. However, epidemiological research has yielded highly variable rates across countries, including Spain. This study examined the prevalence and sociodemographic correlates of ND in a school sample of Spanish children and adolescents. Methods The Child Behaviour Checklist/Teacher's Report Form/Youth Self-Report and the Conners' Rating Scales were administered for screening purposes. Additionally, teachers provided information on reading and writing difficulties. Subjects who screened positive were interviewed for diagnostic confirmation according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders criteria. The final population comprised 6834 students aged 5–17. Multivariate analyses were performed to determine the influence of gender, age, educational stage, school type, socioeconomic status (SES), and ethnicity on the prevalence estimates. Results A total of 1249 (18.3%) subjects met criteria for at least one ND, although only 423 had already received a diagnosis. Specifically, the following prevalence rates were found: intellectual disabilities (ID), 0.63%; communication disorders, 1.05%; autism spectrum disorder (ASD), 0.70%; attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), 9.92%; specific learning disorder (SLD), 10.0%; and motor disorders, 0.76%. Students of foreign origin and from low SES evidenced higher odds of having ID. Boys were more likely to display ASD or a motor disorder. Age, SES, and ethnicity were significant predictors for SLD, while communication disorders and ADHD were also associated with gender. Conclusions The prevalence of ND among Spanish students is consistent with international studies. However, a substantial proportion had never been previously diagnosed, which emphasise the need for early detection and intervention programmes.

Commercial Exergaming in Home-Based Pediatric Constraint-Induced Therapy: A Randomized Trial

2021 ◽  
pp. 153944922098411
Author(s):  
Tien-Ni Wang ◽  
Yu-Lun Chen ◽  
Jeng-Yi Shieh ◽  
Hao-Ling Chen
Keyword(s):  
Parental Stress ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Self Care ◽  
Stress Index ◽  
Dose Equivalent ◽  
Nintendo Wii ◽  
Home Based ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Motor Outcomes ◽  
Psychosocial Benefits

Constraint-induced therapy (CIT) is highly effective yet not accessible to many families. Integrating commercial exergaming in home-based CIT may support the availability and attainability of the intervention. The study compared the effects of supplementary use of Nintendo Wii in home-based CIT with dose-equivalent conventional CIT. Eighteen children with cerebral palsy were randomly assigned to 8 weeks of CIT (CIT) or 4 weeks of CIT, followed by 4 weeks of Wii-augmented CIT (CIT-Wii). Outcome measures included the Bruininks–Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency (Manual Dexterity), the ABILHAND-Kids, the WeeFIM (Self-Care), the Test of Playfulness, the Engagement Questionnaire, and the Parenting Stress Index–Short Form. Both groups significantly improved motor outcomes and playfulness. The CIT group demonstrated greater improvement in self-care skills, whereas parental stress decreased only in the CIT-Wii group. CIT-Wii yields no significant difference in treatment effects from conventional CIT and may provide psychosocial benefits.

Mindfulness-based wellbeing for socio-economically disadvantaged parents: a pre-post pilot study

2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catrin Eames ◽  
Rebecca Crane ◽  
Eluned Gold ◽  
Sophie Pratt
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Parental Stress ◽  
Economically Disadvantaged ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Stress Index ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mindfulness Skills ◽  
The Impact

Purpose – Behavioural parent training (PT) interventions partially mediate risk factors for the development of child behavioural problems. Mindfulness skills could have benefit in alleviating the impact of these risk factors for parents who are socio-economically disadvantaged. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – A pre-post single group comparison of disadvantaged mothers attending the Mindfulness-Based Wellbeing for Parents (MBW-P) programme. Findings – Changes were observed in facets of parental stress (Parenting Stress Index-Short Form; Abidin, 1995), depression (Beck Depression Inventory-II; Beck et al., 1996) and brooding (Ruminative Responses Scale; Nolen-Hoeksema and Morrow, 1991), with moderate to large effect sizes and incidences of clinical change. Research limitations/implications – The research design, although pragmatic, includes a small sample and no control or long-term comparison group. Social implications – Mothers considered as the “hardest to reach” group in terms of vulnerability, risk factors and being likely to gain from intervention demonstrated positive shifts post-intervention. A targeted mindfulness-based intervention, delivered pragmatically within a health service context, may have benefit in reducing the impact of risk factors on parental wellbeing. Originality/value – To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first evaluation of a targeted mindfulness group delivered within routine health care settings, in identified “high risk” areas, by routine staff.

Maternal Distress and Infant Social Withdrawal (ADBB) Following Infant Cardiac Surgery for Congenital Heart Disease

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 624-637 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer M. Re ◽  
Suzanne Dean ◽  
Jimmy Mullaert ◽  
Antoine Guedeney ◽  
Samuel Menahem
Keyword(s):  
Cardiac Surgery ◽  
Parenting Stress ◽  
Social Withdrawal ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Maternal Distress ◽  
Stress Index ◽  
Increased Risk

Background: Mothers and infants are exposed to multiple stresses when cardiac surgery is required for the infant. This study reviewed infant responsiveness using a standardized objective observational measure of social withdrawal and explored its association with measures of maternal distress. Methods: Mother–infant pairs involving infants surviving early cardiac surgery were assessed when the infant was aged two months. Infant social withdrawal was measured using the Alarm Distress Baby Scale. Maternal distress was assessed using self-report measures for maternal depression (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale), anxiety (Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Scale), and parenting stress (Parenting Stress Index–Short Form). Potential associations between infant social withdrawal and maternal distress were evaluated. Results: High levels of maternal distress and infant social withdrawal were identified relative to community norms with a positive association. Such an association was not found between infant social withdrawal and the cardiac abnormality and surgery performed. Conclusion: The vulnerability of infants requiring cardiac surgery may be better understood when factors beyond their medical condition are considered. The findings suggested an association between maternal distress and infant social withdrawal, which may be consistent with mothers’ distress placing infants subjected to cardiac surgery at substantially increased risk of social withdrawal. However, it is unclear to what extent infant withdrawal may trigger maternal distress and what the interactive effects are. Further research is warranted. Trialing a mother–infant support program may be helpful in alleviating distress and improving the well-being and outcomes for these families.

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