Comparisons of Parent Cardiovascular Knowledge,Attitudes, and Behaviors Based on Screening and Perceived Child Risks

Questionnaire reports and universal screening procedures from 244 children (kindergarten, 5th grade, and 9th grade) were used to explore differences in parent health knowledge and attitudes of cardiovascular risks among children and parental involvement in promoting healthy lifestyles relative to whether their children were identified as being overweight or at risk of being overweight. The knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of the parents of children who were identified as being at risk or overweight were further examined based on their perceptions of their children's level of risk. Parents' reports demonstrated significantly greater parent encouragement and knowledge of issues related to eating healthier foods and ways to cut calories among parents of children who were identified as being at risk or already overweight. A significant portion of parents underestimated their children's weight risks. Differences in parents' appraisals of their children's overweight risks were associated with differences in their knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. These findings illustrate the need to address inaccuracies in parents' assessments of their children's overweight risks to improve parent investment and involvement in children's health modification programs.     

Hope and Siege: The Experiences of Parents Whose Children Were Placed in Residential Care

This qualitative study focused on research into the impact on parents of children's out-of-home placement. Twelve couples (24 parents) were interviewed. Three major themes emerged: (a) parents' perception of out-of-home placement as necessary because of children's destructive behavior and parents' victimhood; (b) parents' acknowledgment of positive changes in the child and the family, their pain surrounding the child's pressurizing to return home and fear of regression if this should come about; (c) guilt as a major emotion that impacts their couple relationship. The study results are evaluated in the context of research on parents' reactions to children's removal from home.     

A Tale of Two Countries: Comparison of the Perceptions of Analgesics Among Finnish and American Parents

Our purpose was to compare parental perceptions regarding children's analgesics in Finland and the USA. Data were collected from 315 Finnish and 110 American parents of children undergoing surgery using questionnaires. Cross-tabulation, and χ² were used in the analysis. Parents thought that analgesia should be given regularly, but more American than Finnish parents thought analgesics should be given to the child before the pain becomes severe. Additionally, more American than Finnish parents stated that children easily become dependent on analgesics and that analgesics for home use may be dangerous for children. Nurses should be aware of parents' incorrect perceptions which may be barriers to children's pain relief.     

Parents' management of children's pain at home after surgery

Purpose. We tested home pain management for children for effects on pain intensity, analgesics administered, satisfaction, and use of healthcare services over 3 post‐discharge days. Design and Methods. In this quasi‐experimental study with 108 children and their parents, we used the numeric rating scale or the Faces Pain Scale‐Revised, calculated percentages of analgesics administered, and asked questions about expectations, satisfaction, and services. Between‐group differences were tested with t‐tests and analysis of variance. Results: After home pain management for children, children reported moderate pain, and parents administered more analgesics on study days. Parents and children were satisfied; parents used few services. Written instructions and a brief interactive session were not sufficient to change parents' analgesic administration practices to relieve their children's pain. Practice Implications. Further research is needed to develop and test effective education interventions to facilitate relief of children's postoperative pain.     

Parent coping and child distress behaviors during invasive procedures for childhood cancer

This study examines what parents identified as their primary stressor before their child's invasive procedure, what coping strategies were used to manage the stress, what level of distress their children experienced during each phase of the procedure, and whether parents' coping modes were associated with their children's distress. Twenty children with cancer from 3 to 11 years of age and the parent present during the procedure participated in the study. Parents' primary stressors were identified as uncertainty about parent role and anticipating the child's distress during the procedure. Although parents used both emotion-focused and problem-focused strategies for coping with their primary stressors, they primarily relied on emotion-focused strategies. Children experienced the most behavioral distress during the procedural phase, and girls exhibited more distress than boys. The parents' coping modes were not associated with their children's distress, but children of parents whose primary stressor was uncertainty about parent role had higher distress than children of parents whose primary stressor was anticipating the child's distress. The findings related to parents' stressors, their coping strategies, and their children's distress were consistent with previous research. Directions for future research and suggestions for dealing with invasive procedures for childhood cancer are described.     

Helping Students Assess Parenting Education Needs

A card-sort exercise based on the tenets of adult education and Q methodology was developed to offer baccalaureate nursing students an alternative to current approaches to assessing parents' needs for education on home visits. The card sort was designed to facilitate parents' self-diagnosis of learning needs in relation to infant care and postpartum self care behaviors; emphasize the importance of parents' role in the assessment process; and promote structured mutuality in home visiting. The technique was field tested on student home visits to new parents and was evaluated as an effective aid for engaging parents in the assessment process.     

The Effect of Group Intervention on the Relationships of Parents with Intellectual Disabilities

Background Parents with intellectual disabilities frequently feel socially excluded and often become dependent on statutory agencies for support. This study aimed to tackle these difficulties by means of a group intervention. Methods Group intervention was provided to 12 parents with borderline or mild intellectual disabilities over 14 weeks. The effects of intervention were evaluated by comparing the intervention group with a borderline or mild intellectual disabilities control parent group (n = 10). Both experimental parent group (EPG) and control parent group (CPG) received home‐based teaching programmes during this period. Parents' self‐concept and perception of the quality of relationship with their children, partners, family members and professionals were assessed (Judson Rating Scale and Behaviour Problem Index) during baseline, post‐intervention and at 27‐week follow‐up. Results The results indicate that self‐concept improved significantly for the EPG with no observable gains made by the CPG. However, the ‘feel good factor’ which came from improvements in parents' self‐concept did not immediately benefit their children. In addition, the quality of relationship between EPG parents and their children, as well as parents' expectations of their children's capabilities did not improve as a result of group intervention. Nonetheless, follow‐up data revealed that group training did result in (i) all of the EPG parents making new friends and (ii) other positive social and practical changes taking place within their families. Single parent status and the accumulative effect of multiple group attendance were identified as important factors affecting parents' perception of themselves and the quality of their relationships. Conclusions The immediate and long‐term benefits of group attendance for parents with intellectual disabilities and secondary benefits for their children are discussed.     

Qualitative Iranian study of parents' roles in adolescent girls' physical activity habit development

Parents are likely to be key influences on children's physical activity behaviors, although it is not clear how. This study was designed to explore parents' roles in Iranian adolescent girls' physical activity habit development. A qualitative study was conducted by means of semistructured one‐to‐one interviews with 25 participants, including 16 adolescent girls (10–19 years of age), seven mothers, and two fathers. Content analysis was applied. Two main themes emerged as parental role in adolescent girls' physical activity behavior: developing interest in physical activity (making children familiar with physical activity, discovering talents, and role modeling) and providing support to adolescents for physical activity (material and immaterial). This study provided a better understanding of how Iranian parents influence their children's physical activity behavior. This will enable nurses to design more effective family‐based interventions.     

Family characteristics and parents' and children's health behaviour are associated with public health nurses' concerns at children's health examinations

The study aimed to establish whether family characteristics and the health behaviour and illnesses of parents and children are associated with public health nurses' (PHNs') concerns about children's physical health and psychosocial development in the context of health examinations. Factors affecting children's health and well‐being should be identified as early as possible to provide children and families appropriate support. In 2007–2009, a cross‐sectional study in Finland collected information about PHNs' concerns, children's health and well‐being as well as the background factors affecting them during health examinations of preschool‐age children and school‐aged children (n = 4795). Associations between family characteristics, parents' and children's behaviour and diseases, and PHNs' concerns were assessed using logistic regression analysis. Overweight in children, the long‐term illnesses of both children and parents, and parental smoking were the factors most strongly associated with PHNs' concerns about a child's physical health whereas non‐nuclear family types, the father's low educational level and unemployment, the child's lack of sleep, and bullying were associated with concerns about the child's psychosocial development. The connections found demonstrate that health examinations should address factors that affect the whole family's well‐being so as to comprehensively promote children's health, growth and development.     

喉气道疾病患儿父母创伤后成长的影响因素

目的探讨喉气道疾病患儿父母创伤后成长的影响因素。方法采用便利抽样法,选择2015年1-11月上海某三级甲等医院耳鼻喉头颈外科收治的96名喉气道疾病患儿父母为研究对象。采用自行编制的一般资料调查表、自我表露、简体中文版事件相关反刍性沉思问卷、简体中文版创伤后成长评定量表、领悟社会支持量表等,调查了喉气道疾病患儿父母的创伤后成长、自我表露、反刍性沉思及社会支持得分情况,并分析其主要影响因素。结果本组患儿父母创伤后成长得分为(43.09±19.399),多元回归分析结果显示,表露经历、目的性反刍性沉思是父母创伤后成长的正向预测因素,可解释其40.1%的总变异(F=32.858,P0.001)。结论本组患儿父母创伤后成长水平相对较低,父母的表露经历及目的性反刍性沉思是其主要影响因素,提示曾经与他人谈论内心感受、且已开始建构创伤事件(孩子患病经历)意义的目的性认知加工的父母,其创伤后成长水平越高。医护人员可为父母提供一个较安全放松的环境,鼓励或引导患儿父母总结应对经验,思考对人生的意义等积极认知加工,进而提升其创伤后成长水平,最终实现良好心理适应。     

安徽省城市和乡村5岁儿童口腔健康行为的调查

目的了解安徽省城乡5岁儿童口腔健康的行为状况,为儿童龋齿的预防提供科学依据。方法采用第3次全国口腔健康流行病的问卷调查方案,调查城市和乡村5岁儿童各216名的口腔健康行为,比较城市和乡村5岁儿童口腔健康行为的差别。结果城市儿童在开始刷牙年龄、每天刷牙次数、父母检查孩子刷牙效率、饮食习惯、口腔治疗、父母口腔保健知识方面明显优于乡村儿童（P〈0．01）。结论城市与乡村5岁儿童及家长的口腔健康行为是影响儿童患龋齿的直接因素。     

Parental Participation in the Care of Hospitalized Children

The purpose of this study was to investigate those parts of the care of hospitalized children that their parents perform, the nursing tasks the parents themselves felt they could manage and whether parents' and staff members' opinions coincided. A questionnaire was given to parents of children between one week and five years of age who were hospitalized at a pediatric surgical department during a 6-week period (n = 40), a similar questionnaire being distributed to all the staff (n = 44). The results indicate that parents stay with their children during hospitalization and that they take responsibility for their children's basic care and needs. Parents and staff members believed that parents might be able to take on a greater share of caring activities if they were given instruction and support, though there was disagreement as to which nursing tasks are appropriate for parents to take on.     

FACTORS AFFECTING USE OF THE MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEM BY RURAL CHILDREN

As many as 20% of children between the ages of 0 and 18 meet the criteria for one or more mental disorders at some point in their lives, with about one half of these being described as being seriously disturbed. Only about one-third of these children and adolescents receive help from the mental health system. Negative outcome expectations toward the mental health system can prevent use of services. This study examined rural parents' expectations about outcomes related to mental health treatment, the provider-client-parent relationships, social and cultural factors, and accessibility to mental health services. The parents' knowledge of the prevalence of mental health disorders in children and adolescents was also examined. Bandura's Social Cognitive Theory served as the conceptual framework for this study. Stigma toward the use of the mental health system was evident. More than half the parents were concerned that mental health professionals would not care for their child. Although negative relationship outcome expectations were revealed, positive treatment outcome expectations also emerged. Structural outcome expectations were not shown to be a major deterrent in receiving care. The belief and hope is that positive outcome expectations toward the mental health system will encourage use of services.     

Socially disadvantaged parents of children treated with allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT): Report from a supportive intervention study,Denmark

PurposeThis study was undertaken to test a daily Family Navigator Nurse (FNN) conducted intervention program, to support parents during the distressful experience of their child's Allogeneic Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSCT).MethodsA qualitative analysis of the supportive intervention program for parents whose child is under HSCT treatment while hospitalized. Parents to 25 children were included in the intervention group. Twenty-five parents were included in a participant observational study and 21 of these completed a semi-structured interview 100 days following HSCT.ResultsThree main problems faced by all parents included 1) the emotional strain of the child's HSCT; 2) re-organizing of the family's daily life to include hospitalization with the child; and 3) the financial strain of manoeuvring within the Danish welfare system.The FNN performed daily intervention rounds to ease each of these problems during the study period. Having the following pre-existing risk factors, negatively influenced the parents' ability to address these problems: 1) being a single parents; 2) low-level income; 3) low-level education; 4) low-level network support: 5) being a student or unemployed; 6) physical/psychiatric illness; and 7) ethnicity. Six families with 4 or more risk factors had complex emotional, social and financial problems that required extensive intervention by the FNN and that impacted their ability to provide care for the child.ConclusionThe parents' pre-existing risk factors were further complicated by their children's HSCT. A recommendation for clinical practice is to identify families with multiple interrelated problems and allocate resources to support these families.     

Parents' Participation in Managing Their Children's Postoperative Pain at Home: An Integrative Literature Review

ObjectivesThis integrative review aimed to synthesize and critically evaluate the methodological quality of the evidence on parent's participation in managing their children's postoperative pain at home.DesignIntegrative review.Data SourcesTo locate relevant articles, two reviewers independently searched four electronic databases systematically using predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria.Review/Analysis MethodsThe methodological quality of 23 eligible studies was critically appraised using published evaluation criteria. A qualitative content analysis was then conducted to synthesize findings of the studies to identify thematic trends and factors on the nature of parents' participation and ability to effectively manage their children's pain at home.ResultsMethodological quality of most of the 15 surveys was adequate, whereas shortcomings were identified in 6 of the 7 clinical trials and the 1 qualitative study that were included in this review. The three themes identified pertained to parent use of informational sources, postoperative pain medications, and nonpharmacologic pain treatment approaches. Results indicate parents lack the information they need to effectively make use of pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic pain treatment approaches.ConclusionsThere is need to improve communication between parents and health professionals before and after the child's surgery and to provide parents with specific verbal and written instructions and strategies on how to assess and manage their children's pain.     

Expectations and experiences of accessing and participating in services for childhood speech impairment

Speech impairment (speech sound disorder) is a high prevalence condition that responds well to early intervention provided by speech-language pathologists (SLPs). However, not all children in Australia are able to access necessary speech-language pathology services. The aim of this research was to investigate Australian parents' experiences of accessing and engaging in speech-language pathology services for their children with speech impairment. Two studies were conducted to achieve this aim. In Study 1, questionnaires were completed by 109 parents of pre-school children who had been identified with concerns about their speech. Only a third (n?=?34, 31.2%) of the parents had previously accessed speech-language pathology services for assessment of their children's speech and just 29 of these (26.6% of the entire sample) reported their children had received intervention. Two thirds (n?=?68, 62.4%) of the parents had not sought speech-language pathology services and half of these (n?=?35, 32.1% of the entire sample) reported that “services were not needed”. There was a small number of parents (n?=?7, 6.4%) who had attempted to access services but had been unsuccessful. Parents identified teachers, family, friends, and doctors as important sources of information about their children's speech. In Study 2, interviews were conducted with 13 of the parents to discuss their experiences of speech impairment and service delivery in greater depth. Parents expected that others would make them aware of their child's speech impairment and that they should be able to access speech-language pathology services when required. Consequently, there is a need to raise awareness about speech impairment and speech-language pathology services to ensure appropriate identification, referral, and service provision for children at risk.