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Kritikos TK, Winning AM, Smith ZR, Holmbeck GN. Trajectories of Marital Satisfaction among Parents of Youth with Spina Bifida. J Pediatr Psychol 2022; 47:1195-1206. [PMID: 35818344 DOI: 10.1093/jpepsy/jsac059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Revised: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study examined marital satisfaction among parents of youth with spina bifida (SB) over an 8-year period and investigated the usefulness of the double ABCX model for understanding factors that predict change in marital satisfaction across child age. METHODS Data from five time points of a longitudinal investigation of psychosocial outcomes in youth with SB were included. Mothers and fathers of children with SB (aged 8-17) reported on marital satisfaction and components of the double ABCX model. Change in marital satisfaction was examined across child age with components of the double ABCX model, as well as interactions between components, as predictors. RESULTS Marital satisfaction was significantly higher in the present sample than in a normative sample of married couples. Although there were no significant changes in marital satisfaction for either parent as a function of child age, there was significant variability for the intercept and slope of maternal and paternal marital satisfaction within the sample. Family support predicted a higher intercept, and mental health symptoms predicted a lower intercept, for maternal and paternal marital satisfaction. More stressors and SB-related family stress predicted a lower intercept for paternal marital satisfaction. Family support and family stress attributed to SB moderated the relationship between child vulnerability and maternal marital satisfaction. Observed family cohesion and child psychosocial quality of life moderated the relationship between family stressors and paternal marital satisfaction. CONCLUSION Findings demonstrate the usefulness of the double ABCX model for this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tessa K Kritikos
- Department of Clinical, Health, and Applied Sciences, University of Houston Clear Lake, USA
| | | | - Zoe R Smith
- Psychology Department, Loyola University Chicago, USA
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Stiles-Shields C, Kritikos TK, Ridosh MM, Starnes M, Holmbeck GN. "We Are Anxious Every Day": COVID-19 Impacts on Youth with Spina Bifida. J Pediatr Psychol 2021; 46:1040-1050. [PMID: 34350961 PMCID: PMC8436369 DOI: 10.1093/jpepsy/jsab070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Revised: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study examined the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on a national sample of adolescents and young adults (AYA) with spina bifida (SB) and parents of youth with SB. METHODS AYA with SB (15-25; n = 298) and parents of children with SB (n = 200) were recruited to complete an anonymous, online survey in English or Spanish. Participants provided information about demographic and condition characteristics, as well as their technology access and use for behavioral health care. They also completed the COVID-19 Exposure and Family Impact Survey (CEFIS), which includes Exposure, Impact, and Distress subscales. Exploratory correlations and t-tests were used to examine potential associations between CEFIS scores and demographic, medical, and access characteristics. Qualitative data from the CEFIS were analyzed using thematic analysis. RESULTS Scores on the Exposure, Impact, and Distress subscales demonstrated significant variability. Demographic associations with Exposure differed for those with higher Impact and Distress (e.g., White, non-Hispanic/Latino AYA reported higher rates of exposure [p = .001]; AYA who identified with a minoritized racial/ethnic identity reported greater impact [p ≤ .03]). Impacts to mental and behavioral health (n = 44), interference with medical care (n = 28), and interpersonal challenges (n = 27) were the most commonly occurring qualitative themes. CONCLUSIONS The current findings implicate differential impacts to individuals with SB and their families based on demographic, medical, and systemic factors (e.g., minoritized status). Recommendations to support families with SB and other pediatric conditions are made.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colleen Stiles-Shields
- Section of Community Behavioral Health, Department
of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Rush University Medical
Center, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Tessa K Kritikos
- Psychology Department, Loyola University
Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Monique M Ridosh
- Loyola University Chicago, Marcella Niehoff School
of Nursing, Maywood, IL, USA
| | - Meredith Starnes
- Psychology Department, Loyola University
Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
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Crombag N, Sacco A, Stocks B, De Vloo P, van der Merwe J, Gallagher K, David A, Marlow N, Deprest J. 'We did everything we could'- a qualitative study exploring the acceptability of maternal-fetal surgery for spina bifida to parents. Prenat Diagn 2021; 41:910-921. [PMID: 34228835 PMCID: PMC7613560 DOI: 10.1002/pd.5996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2021] [Revised: 06/05/2021] [Accepted: 06/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Objective To explore the concepts and strategies parents employ when considering maternal-fetal surgery (MFS) as an option for the management of spina bifida (SB) in their fetus, and how this determines the acceptability of the intervention. Methods A two-centre interview study enrolling parents whose fetuses with SB were eligible for MFS. To assess differences in acceptability, parents opting for MFS (n = 24) were interviewed at three different moments in time: prior to the intervention, directly after the intervention and 3-6 months after birth. Parents opting for termination of pregnancy (n = 5) were interviewed only once. Themes were identified and organised in line with the framework of acceptability. Results To parents opting for MFS, the intervention was perceived as an opportunity that needed to be taken. Feelings of parental responsibility drove them to do anything in their power to improve their future child’s situation. Expectations seemed to be realistic yet were driven by hope for the best outcome. None expressed decisional regret at any stage, despite substantial impact and, at times, disappointing outcomes. For the small group of participants, who decided to opt for termination of pregnancy (TOP), MFS was not perceived as an intervention that substantially could improve the quality of their future child’s life. Conclusion Prospective parents opting for MFS were driven by their feelings of parental responsibility. They recognise the fetus as their future child and value information and care focusing on optimising the child’s future health. In the small group of parents opting for TOP, MFS was felt to offer insufficient certainty of substantial improvement in quality of life and the perceived severe impact of SB drove their decision to end the pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neeltje Crombag
- Department of Development and Regeneration Cluster Woman and Child, Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Institute of Women's Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Adalina Sacco
- Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Institute of Women's Health, University College London, London, UK
| | | | - Philippe De Vloo
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Johannes van der Merwe
- Department of Development and Regeneration Cluster Woman and Child, Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division Woman and Child, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Katie Gallagher
- Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Institute of Women's Health, University College London, London, UK.,National Institutes for Health, University College London Hospitals Biomedical Research Centre, London, UK
| | - Anna David
- Department of Development and Regeneration Cluster Woman and Child, Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Institute of Women's Health, University College London, London, UK.,National Institutes for Health, University College London Hospitals Biomedical Research Centre, London, UK
| | - Neil Marlow
- Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Institute of Women's Health, University College London, London, UK.,National Institutes for Health, University College London Hospitals Biomedical Research Centre, London, UK
| | - Jan Deprest
- Department of Development and Regeneration Cluster Woman and Child, Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Institute of Women's Health, University College London, London, UK.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division Woman and Child, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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Kritikos TK, Driscoll CFB, Holmbeck GN. Discrepancies in Parent Perceptions of Child Vulnerability in Youth With Spina Bifida. J Pediatr Psychol 2021; 46:392-403. [PMID: 33355337 DOI: 10.1093/jpepsy/jsaa115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2020] [Revised: 10/28/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to describe informant discrepancies between mother and father reports of child vulnerability in youth with spina bifida (SB) and examine variables that were associated with these discrepancies. METHODS Ninety-two parent dyads, with a child with SB (ages 8-15 years), were recruited as a part of a longitudinal study. Mothers and fathers completed questionnaires assessing parental perception of child vulnerability (PPCV), as well as medical and demographic information, behavioral aspects of the couple relationship, parenting stress, mental health of the parent, and child behavioral adjustment. The degree to which there was a parenting alliance was assessed with observational data. Mother-father discrepancies were calculated at the item level. RESULTS Findings revealed that greater father mental health symptoms, parenting stress, and child behavior problems were associated with "father high and mother low" discrepancies in PPCV. There were also lower scores on observed parenting alliance when there were higher rates of "father high and mother low" discrepancies in PPCV. CONCLUSIONS For families of youth with SB, discrepancies in PPCV where fathers perceive high vulnerability and mothers perceive low vulnerability may be a "red flag" for the presence of other parental and child adjustment difficulties. Findings are discussed in terms of the Attribution Bias Context Model and underscore the importance of including fathers in research on families who have children with chronic health conditions.
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McDonald KP, Connolly J, Roberts SD, Ford MK, Westmacott R, Dlamini N, Tam EWY, Williams T. The Response to Stress Questionnaire for Parents Following Neonatal Brain Injury. J Pediatr Psychol 2020; 45:1005-1015. [PMID: 32968809 DOI: 10.1093/jpepsy/jsaa059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2020] [Revised: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 07/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The Response to Stress Questionnaire-Brain Injury (RSQ-BI) was adapted utilizing a patient-oriented approach, exploring parental stress, coping, and associated mental health outcomes in parents of children with neonatal brain injury. The contributions of social risk, child adaptive functioning, and brain injury severity were also explored. METHODS Using a mixed-method design, this study explored adapted stressor items on the RSQ-BI. Parents and clinicians engaged in semistructured interviews to examine key stressors specific to being a parent of a child with neonatal brain injury. The adapted RSQ-BI was piloted in a parent sample (N = 77, child mean age 1 year 7 months) with established questionnaires of social risk, child adaptive functioning, severity of the child's injury, coping style, and parent mental health. Descriptive statistics and correlations examined parent stress, coping, and their association with parent mental health. RESULTS The final RSQ-BI questionnaire included 15 stressors. Factor analysis showed stressors loaded onto two factors related to (a) daily role stressors and (b) brain injury stressors. Using the RSQ-BI, parents reported brain injury stressors as more stressful than daily role stressors. When faced with these stressors, parents were most likely to engage in acceptance-based coping strategies and demonstrated lower symptoms of parent depression and anxiety. CONCLUSIONS The RSQ-BI provides a valuable adaptation to understand both stressors and coping specific to being a parent of a child with neonatal brain injury. Relevant interventions that promote similar coping techniques are discussed for future care and research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyla P McDonald
- Division of Neurology, Department of Psychology, The Hospital for Sick Children.,Department of Psychology, York University
| | | | - Samantha D Roberts
- Division of Neurology, Department of Psychology, The Hospital for Sick Children.,Department of Psychology, York University
| | - Meghan K Ford
- Division of Neurology, Department of Psychology, The Hospital for Sick Children.,Medical Psychiatry Alliance, The Hospital for Sick Children
| | - Robyn Westmacott
- Division of Neurology, Department of Psychology, The Hospital for Sick Children.,Department of Pediatrics, The University of Toronto
| | - Nomazulu Dlamini
- Division of Neurology, Department of Psychology, The Hospital for Sick Children.,Department of Pediatrics, The University of Toronto
| | - Emily W Y Tam
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of Toronto.,Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children
| | - Tricia Williams
- Division of Neurology, Department of Psychology, The Hospital for Sick Children.,Medical Psychiatry Alliance, The Hospital for Sick Children.,Department of Pediatrics, The University of Toronto
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Driscoll CFB, Ohanian DM, Ridosh MM, Stern A, Wartman EC, Starnes M, Holmbeck GN. Pathways by which Maternal Factors are Associated With Youth Spina Bifida-Related Responsibility. J Pediatr Psychol 2020; 45:610-621. [PMID: 32337548 DOI: 10.1093/jpepsy/jsaa020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2019] [Revised: 03/15/2020] [Accepted: 03/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Achieving condition-related autonomy is an important developmental milestone for youth with spina bifida (SB). However, the transfer of condition-related responsibility to these youth can be delayed due to parent factors. This study aimed to investigate two potential pathways by which maternal factors may be associated with condition-related responsibility among youth with SB: (a) Maternal adjustment → perception of child vulnerability (PPCV) → youth condition-related responsibility; and (b) Maternal PPCV → overprotection → youth condition-related responsibility. METHODS Participating youth with SB (N = 140; Mage=11.4 years, range = 8-15 years) were recruited as part of a longitudinal study; data from three time points (each spaced 2 years apart) from the larger study were used. Mothers reported on personal adjustment factors, PPCV, and overprotection. An observational measure of overprotection was also included. Mothers, fathers, and youth with SB reported on youths' degree of responsibility for condition-related tasks. Analyses included age, lesion level, IQ, and the dependent variables at the prior wave as covariates. RESULTS Bootstrapped mediation analyses revealed that PPCV significantly mediated the relationship between maternal distress and youth responsibility for medical tasks such that higher levels of distress at Time 1 predicted higher levels of PPCV at Time 2 and lower youth medical responsibility at Time 3. Furthermore, self-reported maternal overprotection significantly mediated the relationship between maternal PPCV and youth responsibility for medical tasks. CONCLUSIONS Maternal personal distress, PPCV, and self-reported overprotection are interrelated and affect youth's condition-related responsibility. Interventions for mothers of youth with SB that target these factors may improve both maternal and youth outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Alexa Stern
- Psychology Department, Loyola University Chicago
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Lemos MS, Lima L, Silva C, Fontoura S. Disease-related Parenting Stress in the Post-treatment Phase of Pediatric Cancer. Compr Child Adolesc Nurs 2019; 43:65-79. [PMID: 30973024 DOI: 10.1080/24694193.2019.1570393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Parenting stress is generally associated with poorer psychological adjustment in caregivers and children with chronic illness. Although parenting stress in pediatric cancer has been previously demonstrated, few studies have investigated this problem when treatments end. The present study aimed to describe disease-related parenting stress in the post-treatment phase of pediatric cancer, and to analyze the role of parents' age and education, family functioning, and perceived child vulnerability in predicting disease-related parenting stress. The study comprised 56 parents of children with cancer, in the post-treatment phase, who completed a clinical and demographic questionnaire, as well as the Pediatric Inventory for Parents, assessing parenting stress, the Child Perceived Vulnerability Scale, and the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale-Version IV. Results revealed that the level of disease-related parenting stress in the post-treatment phase was still significant. Emotional stress scores were especially high, further showing that parents' concerns in this phase focus mainly on the long-term impact of the disease and treatments, involving intense feelings of fear and uncertainty. A model with four predictors was tested using regression analysis, which explained 57% of parenting stress variance. More specifically, findings indicated that parental age and education significantly predicted parenting stress, accounting for over one-third of the variance in this outcome. Family functioning and perceived child vulnerability explained an additional 18% of parenting stress. Findings of this study suggest that even when treatment ends, there is still the need for continued support in order to assist parents' ability to deal with the implications of having a child who had cancer. Importantly, special attention should be given in clinical practice to the family functioning and to parents' beliefs about their child's vulnerability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina S Lemos
- Faculdade de Psicologia e Ciências da Educação, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Center for Psychology at the University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Lígia Lima
- Escola Superior de Enfermagem do Porto (Nursing School of Porto), Porto, Portugal.,CINTESIS - Center for Health Technology and Services Research, Porto, Portugal
| | - Catarina Silva
- Faculdade de Psicologia e Ciências da Educação, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Sara Fontoura
- Faculdade de Psicologia e Ciências da Educação, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
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Parental Distress and Stress in Association with Health-Related Quality of Life in Youth with Spina Bifida: A Longitudinal Study. J Dev Behav Pediatr 2018; 39:744-753. [PMID: 30204623 PMCID: PMC6263838 DOI: 10.1097/dbp.0000000000000603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study examined associations between 3 distinct parent factors (parent personal distress, parenting stress, and spina bifida (SB)-specific parenting stress) and youth and parent proxy reports of youth health-related quality of life (HRQOL) over time. METHOD Participants were recruited as part of a longitudinal study, and data were collected at 3 time points, spaced 2 years apart. Parents and youth completed questionnaires, and youth completed neuropsychological assessment tasks to determine youth intelligence quotient during home visits. RESULTS Analyses revealed that higher levels of maternal SB-specific parenting stress were related to lower levels of youth-reported HRQOL at time 1. Other parent factors were not associated with youth report of HRQOL at the earlier time points, although higher levels of maternal SB-specific parenting stress and paternal parenting stress were associated with lower levels of youth HRQOL at time 3. For mothers and fathers, increased parent personal distress, parenting stress, and SB-specific parenting stress were associated with decreased proxy report of youth HRQOL. Of these three parent factors, SB-specific parenting stress was consistently the most strongly associated with parent proxy-report of youth HRQOL. CONCLUSION Parenting stress and distress are important targets for interventions, and these interventions may improve youth outcomes, especially as youth age. Future research is needed to identify other factors influencing youth HRQOL over time.
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