Posttraumatic growth and rumination among parents of children with autism spectrum disorder: The mediating role of social support

Post-traumatic growth correlates among parents of children with chronic illnesses: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Parenting a child with a chronic illness presents a complex journey marked by various challenges, along with possible personal growth following these challenges. In this systematic review we present three meta-analyses, in order to examine the associations of post-traumatic growth (PTG) among parents of children with diverse chronic illnesses, and psychological distress, social support, and resilience. Analyzing 34 studies encompassing a total of 5328 parents, the results reveal several key findings. First, PTG was found to be prevalent among the parents. Second, there was no significant correlation between PTG and psychological distress, suggesting that these two processes may exist independently. Third, a positive correlation was observed between PTG and both social support and resilience-related factors, underscoring the role of these factors in fostering growth among parents of children with chronic illnesses. Additionally, illness type emerged as a moderator, affecting the strength of the above-mentioned correlations with PTG. Specifically, in the case of psychiatric illnesses, correlations of PTG with social support and resilience were stronger than in the context of other illnesses. Overall, this review emphasizes the significance of recognizing and addressing PTG correlates among parents of children with chronic illnesses, offering insights for clinical practice.

Contribution of rumination and psychological resilience to post-traumatic growth of front-line healthcare workers in mobile cabin hospitals under Normalized epidemic Prevention and Control Requirements

To understand the level of post-traumatic growth (PTG) and influencing factors among front-line healthcare workers (HCWs) working in mobile cabin hospitals treating patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) under the Normalized Epidemic Prevention and Control Requirements adopted in China. A random sampling method was used to select 540 HCWs of the Chongqing-aid-Shanghai medical team from April to May 2022 as the study participants. Participants completed a general information questionnaire, the Post-traumatic Growth Inventory-Chinese version (PTGI-C), the Chinese version of the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) and the Chinese Event Related Rumination Inventory (C-ERRI). Among the 540 included HCWs, 83.15 % were nurses and 78.89 % were women. The average scores for PTG (62.25 ± 16.73) and psychological resilience (64.22 ± 15.38) were at moderate levels, and the average score for rumination was low (21.62 ± 10.77). Pearson correlation analysis showed that CD-RISC and C-ERRI scores were positive with the PTGI-C score (r = 0.528, 0.316, P < 0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis identified psychological training or intervention during the COVID-19 epidemic (β = 2.353, P = 0.044), psychological resilience (β = 0.525, P < 0.001) and deliberate rumination (β = 0.732, P < 0.001) as factors significantly associated with the PTG of front-line HCWs, which together explained 36.8 % of the total variance in PTG (F[5,539] = 63.866, P < 0.001). In general, psychological resilience and deliberate rumination can promote PTG among HCWs and can be improved by strengthening psychological training and interventions for HCWs working under the Normalized Epidemic Prevention and Control Requirements.

Predictors of posttraumatic growth in 475 Chinese parents of children newly diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder

PURPOSE

To examine the predictive effects of children's symptom severity, rumination, parental self-efficacy, and social support on posttraumatic growth (PTG) in parents of autistic children.

DESIGN AND METHODS

Parents (n = 475) completed the demographic questionnaire, Posttraumatic Growth Inventory, Autism Behavior Checklist, Event Related Rumination Inventory, Parenting Sense of Competence, and Social Support Rating Scale in a cross-sectional survey conducted in a tertiary hospital in Guangzhou, China, between September 2019 and January 2021. Multiple linear regression analyses were conducted using SPSS version 25.0.

RESULTS

The PTG score was positively associated with rumination (r = 0.325, P < 0.05), parental self-efficacy (r = 0.219, P < 0.05), and social support (r = 0.374, P < 0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that household income (β = 0.095, P < 0.05), intrusive rumination (β = -0.100, P < 0.05), deliberate rumination (β = 0.391, P < 0.001), subjective support (β = 0.239, P < 0.001), and children's daily living skills deficiencies as perceived by parents (β = 0.107, P < 0.05) significantly predicted PTG, accounting for 33.3% of the variance [F(P) = 13.444, P < 0.001].

CONCLUSIONS

Psychosocial factors (rumination and subjective support) are essential to facilitate PTG in parents whose children are newly diagnosed with autism.

PRACTICE AND IMPLICATIONS

With the consideration of different sociodemographic features, clinicians and researchers are encouraged to explore cognitive-based psychosocial interventions targeting parents' psychological growth and parenting training programs targeting autistic children's self-care ability.

Parenting confidence and social support as predictors of coping strategies in parents of children newly diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder: A cross-sectional study

AIMS

The aims of the study were to describe coping strategies in parents of children with autism spectrum disorder at the early stage of diagnosis and to examine the predictive effects of parenting confidence and social support on coping strategies.

DESIGN

A descriptive cross-sectional study.

METHODS

A convenience sample of 193 parents of children newly diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder in Guangzhou, China, were included from October 2020 to January 2021. The Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire, Parenting Sense of Competence Scale and Social Support Rating Scale were employed for data collection. Multiple hierarchical regression analyses examined the relationship between coping strategies and the independent variables.

RESULTS

The mean positive coping strategies score was higher than the negative coping strategies score. Parenting efficacy, subjective support and support utilization predicted positive coping strategies, and parenting satisfaction was a protective factor against negative coping strategies.

CONCLUSION

Parents tend to engage in positive coping at the early stage of diagnosis. Improving parenting confidence and social support might help parents adopt positive coping strategies and prevent negative coping.

IMPACT

More effective and long-term support for families of children with autism spectrum disorder is expected. Interventions should be focused on enhancing parenting satisfaction and efficacy to employ positive coping strategies and decrease negative coping.

REPORTING METHOD

We adhered to EQUATOR guidelines and reported results based on STROBE guidelines.

PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION

No patient or public involvement.

Relationship Between Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Autism Spectrum Disorder and Parent Stress, Anxiety, Depression, Quality of Life and Social Support

Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms are a common comorbidity in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Little is known about the impact that GI symptoms have on parental well-being. Parents of 409 children and adolescents with ASD completed the GI Symptoms Inventory, Parenting Stress Index-Short Form, World Health Organization Quality of Life Abbreviated Version, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. High levels of stress were demonstrated by parents with 40.1% receiving clinically significant scores. A relationship was found between parental stress and GI symptoms. Parental anxiety and depression were found at high levels but were not more common in parents of individuals with GI symptoms than those without. Lower levels of quality of life were found in parents of individuals with GI symptoms compared to parents of individuals without GI symptoms. Parents of children with GI symptoms were less satisfied with their personal and social relationships with others. Parents of children with GI symptoms had lower scores on a measure of perceived social support than parents of children and adolescents without GI symptoms. GI symptoms are stressful for parents and future research is needed to determine how to alleviate this stress and to improve the quality of life of parents of individuals with ASD.

Empathy and Post-Traumatic Growth among Chinese Community Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Roles of Self-Disclosure and Social Support

Given the prolonged nature of the COVID-19 pandemic and its long-term psychological impacts, this study aimed to explore how empathy leads to post-traumatic growth (PTG) among Chinese community workers. Guided by the revised PTG model, this study identified the relation between empathy and PTG using a multiple mediation model that included self-disclosure and social support as hypothesized mediators. This study utilized data from 414 Chinese adults aged 20 years or older who completed an online survey during the pandemic. Self-disclosure and social support were measured as mediating variables. The study variables were positively correlated with PTG. Empathy was positively correlated with self-disclosure and social support. After controlling for demographic covariates, the results indicated that self-disclosure and social support mediated the link between empathy and PTG in both parallel and sequential fashion. Empathy, self-disclosure, and social support played important roles in the growth of Chinese community workers. The present findings have been useful in increasing our understanding, policy programs, and interventions by governments or regional bodies to ameliorate community workers' PTG.