Search

Purpose: This study examined the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness of Parenting for Lifelong Health for Parents and Adolescents program in reducing the risk of child maltreatment in Chinese families with adolescents. Methods: A pre-post single-arm pilot trial was conducted in July and August, 2023, and involved 16 parents and 13 teenagers with a mixed-methods design to collect both quantitative and qualitative data. Results: Parents reported enhanced positive parenting and reduced child behavioral problems. Adolescents reported decreased general child maltreatment and emotional maltreatment, along with perceived improvements in positive parenting and parent-child communication. Thematic analyses suggested of tangible benefits for participants, as well as for their family dynamics. Discussion: The program demonstrated promising feasibility, and it was significantly associated with reduced adolescent maltreatment. Further rigorous randomized controlled trials are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Informed by the social ecological model, which asserts that health behaviors and beliefs are the result of multiple levels of influence, we examined factors related to parents' support for in-school COVID-19 mitigation strategies. Using data from a survey of 567 parents/caregivers of public elementary and middle school students in eight Maryland counties, we employed regression models to examine relationships between parent-, child-, family-, school-, and community-level factors and acceptability of mitigation strategies. Acceptance of COVID-19 mitigation strategies was positively correlated with child- and family-level factors, including child racial identity (parents of Black children were more accepting than those of White children, odds ratio [ OR ]: 2.5, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [1.5, 4.1]), parent receipt of the COVID-19 vaccine (OR : 2.4, 95% CI = [1.5, 3.7]), and parent Democrat or Independent political affiliation (compared with Republican affiliation, OR : 4.2, 95% CI = [2.6, 6.7]; OR : 2.2, 95%CI = [1.3, 3.8], respectively). Acceptance was also positively associated with parents' perceptions of their school's mitigation approach, including higher school mitigation score, indicating more intensive mitigation policies (OR : 1.1, 95% CI = [1.0, 1.1]), better school communication about COVID-19 (OR : 1.7, 95% CI = [1.4, 1.9]) and better school capacity to address COVID-19 (OR : 1.9, 95% CI = [1.5, 2.4]). Community-level factors were not associated with acceptance. Child- and parent-level factors identified suggest potential groups for messaging regarding mitigation strategies. School-level factors may play an important role in parents' acceptance of in-school mitigation strategies. Schools' capacity to address public health threats may offer an underappreciated and modifiable setting for disseminating and reinforcing public health guidance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of alcohol and other drugs is a major public health problem in adolescence. The implementation of evidence-based prevention strategies is still scarce in the global south. This study aimed to evaluate facilitators and barriers to the implementation of the Icelandic prevention model of adolescent substance use (IPM) in Chile. We conducted a qualitative study of stakeholders during the implementation process of the IPM in six municipalities of the Metropolitan Region of Santiago, Chile. We convened six focus groups with parents and professionals from schools and municipal prevention teams (38 participants). Recordings were transcribed and submitted to a six-step thematic analysis. The following facilitators emerged: Participants valued the contribution of the IPM to articulate existing programs and teams, its community focus, and the local data obtained through the survey. There were also several barriers: Those included resistance to adopting a foreign model, the tension between generating local strategies and looking for measures to ensure the fidelity of the implementation, socioeconomic differences between and within municipalities, low-risk perception and supervision of parents in Chile, and a culture that generally does not discourage adolescent substance use. Implementation of the IPM was largely accepted by the stakeholders who agreed with the community approach of the model. The main barriers to consider were related to cultural and socioeconomic factors that need to be addressed in further research and may limit the effects of the model in Chile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Children and adolescents (henceforth "children") with both attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and anxiety experience greater difficulties than children with either alone, though qualitative methodologies are yet to be used to understand the challenges this population experiences. We aimed to explore parent-reported daily impacts of co-occurring anxiety in children with ADHD (ages 8–13 years). Participants were enrolled in an Australian trial evaluating an adapted anxiety intervention and were eligible if their child met diagnostic criteria for ADHD plus separation, social, and/or generalized anxiety disorder. A baseline measure of life impacts associated with child anxiety captured situations parents reported were difficult, due to their child's anxiety. Reflexive thematic analysis of free-text responses (N = 203) facilitated new insights via inductively generating key themes. Three overarching themes highlighted (1) child difficulties with everyday situations and processes due to their anxiety; (2) the nature of the child's anxiety being pervasive and unrelenting; and (3) the strain placed on the child's family system. This study enhances understanding of daily impacts associated with co-occurring anxiety and ADHD and may contribute to an improved understanding of support needs. Results reiterate the need to identify co-occurring difficulties in children with ADHD and support both children and their families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Language ability has been associated with emotion regulation (ER) ability. Children on the autism spectrum have greater rates of language delays and lower ER ability. Despite this, autism traits have not been considered or controlled for in past research. This study therefore examined the association between language ability and ER in young children with and without autism traits. An exploratory analysis was also conducted to examine the types of ER strategies used by young children with autism traits compared with young children without such traits. Ninety mother–toddler dyads participated in the study. Results showed greater receptive language ability was significantly associated with greater parent-reported ER ability both when children with, and children without, autism traits were included in the sample. Furthermore, greater expressive language ability was significantly associated with greater observed ER but only when children with autism traits were excluded from the analysis. These findings have clinical implications for early intervention development for both children with and without autism traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parent education programs are important avenues through which parents of children with developmental delays can learn new skills to help them with child-rearing challenges. However, those in economic hardship often face problems with applying these skills at home where the child's learning and/or behavioral problems commonly occur. In this exploratory qualitative study, we adopted a positive deviance (PD) lens to explore strategies six economically disadvantaged parents used to support their children who were attending special and mainstream preschools concurrently. The PD perspective was first used in public health research with low-resource communities where a few individuals have been observed to adopt uncommon practices and behaviors that enable them to find better ways to prevent social or health problems than their neighbors facing similar constraints and risks. We identified adaptive parental behaviors, thoughts and feelings that helped them navigate daily hassles faced with "dual schooling" their children in Singapore. The study highlights important implications in the development and refinement of future parent training programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the present study was to investigate parents' profile, both at personal and familial levels, who live with and raise children with blindness or visual impairment. Twenty families participated in this study. Data were collected through semistructured interviews, while its analysis was based on qualitative methods focusing on terms of tracing categories and subcategories. The findings highlighted that the great number of parents' responsibilities had a negative impact on their emotional state. This outcome may be reasonably attributed either to lack of effective management of their negative emotions or to recorded difficulties in obtaining all substantial information regarding their child's life prospective well as in devoting too much effort to keep a balance in their family environment. In addition, parents underscored the vital role that professionals, friends, and unions play in their family cohesion and wellbeing. In conclusion, the results can add to the content of existing or future family support programs enriching them with even more constructive theoretical background from the field of counseling and inclusive practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although research has shown that parenting an adolescent with a visual impairment may present unique challenges, a few studies have examined how parents negotiate such challenges and the meanings they derive from their parenting experiences. Using a constructivist narrative inquiry approach, this study explored how four parents of adolescents with visual impairments storied their psychosocial and occupational experiences of childrearing. A holistic-content analysis and thematic analysis of participants' narrative accounts was conducted, resulting in the identification of the following five themes: (1) Grief, Uncertainty, and Frustration During the Early Years ; (2) Identity as An Advocate ; (3) Enabling Independence and Planning for the Future ; (4) Navigating Challenges in Getting Required Support: Frustrations and Successes ; and (5) Changed Perceptions Within the Context of Societal Misunderstanding. Findings of this study address a gap in the current body of literature by highlighting the complexity of parents' experiences along the journey of raising an adolescent with a visual impairment. These complexities are important to address in low vision rehabilitation practice to best support parents and youth, and further research is required to inform such practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The perception of the value of children (VOC) can elucidate why individuals consider it beneficial to have children by uncovering their subjective intentions and experiences regarding their fertility decisions. Using VOC perceptions to understand fertility change in the modernization process, this qualitative study explores how parents' VOC change meshes with China's socioeconomic and cultural contexts. This article examines intergenerational VOC evolution under the support and constraints of socioeconomic environments and cultural norms. Grandparents, embedded in the rural economy and traditional culture, exhibit economic/utilitarian and social/normative VOC. Young parents, living, and having grown up in urban economic and modernized cultural contexts, recognize emotional/psychological VOC for fertility intention. Migrant parents living in urban economies but bound by traditional culture believe that social/normative VOC is important for fertility intention. The results advance understanding of the integration of individuals' psychological intentions with the socioeconomic-cultural contexts that influence their fertility and VOC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to explore and describe how public health nurses at child health clinics experience and perceive the follow-up of children and families when there is concern about the child's care. The goal was to contribute to knowledge development to guide health-promoting nursing care for children and their families. Theoretical perspectives included health promotion, child-centered and family-centered care, in addition to nursing care. An exploratory qualitative design informed by a hermeneutic approach was used. Data were collected in 3 focus groups with 16 public health nurses and analyzed using latent content analysis. The findings detail public health nurses' internal negotiation processes in the follow-up of children and the family, and the ways these negotiation processes were influenced by various prerequisites, the approaches for follow-up, dilemmas that affected public health nurses' approaches, and prolonged dwellings on past responses to children and families of concern. The lack of routines and goals for follow-up, a dominant parental perspective, and ambiguity related to health promotion and disease prevention, all created challenges for the public health nurses. Based on these findings, a model of public health nurse's follow-up when there is concern about the child's care was developed for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Few studies have investigated parent's experiences with racism in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Our objective was to explore how parents perceive their interactions with NICU staff and if/how racism in the NICU was experienced. Parents of infants receiving care in an urban NICU completed fixed choice surveys regarding their experiences and demographics, with 6 open-ended questions to elaborate on their fixed-choice responses. Using a constant comparative method informed by Constructivist Grounded Theory, we identified 3 main themes from the comments provided by 97 respondents: Care and harm coexisting, racism often manifesting as neglectful care, and the power differential is most impactful during times of parent advocacy. Parents spoke positively regarding their experiences and also reported disparate treatment attributed to their racial/ethnic identity. Racism was experienced by inappropriate comments and apathy toward parent requests, occurring during intimate interactions between staff and parents. Descriptions of parental advocacy efforts highlighted the lack of power they held in relation to the NICU staff. We recommend strengthening the focus on equity and mitigating power imbalances in the NICU. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are a leading cause of pregnancy-related morbidity and mortality. The primary objective of this study was to compare the frequency of documentation of postpartum blood pressure through remote blood pressure monitoring with text-message delivered reminders versus office-based follow-up 7–10 days postpartum. The secondary objective was to examine barriers and facilitators of both care strategies from the perspectives of individuals who experienced a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy. We conducted a randomized controlled trial at a tertiary care academic medical center in the southeastern US with 100 postpartum individuals (50 per arm) from 2018 to 2019. Among 100 trial participants, blood pressure follow-up within 7–10 days postpartum was higher albeit not statistically significant between postpartum individuals randomized to the remote assessment intervention versus office-based standard care (absolute risk difference 18.0%, 95% CI −0.1 to 36.1%, p = 0.06). Patient-reported facilitators for remote blood pressure monitoring were maternal convenience, clarity of instructions, and reassurance from the health assessments. These positive aspects occurred alongside barriers, which included constraints due to newborn needs and the realities of daily postpartum life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This qualitative study explores the perceptions of impact associated with engaging in a therapeutic recreation-based bereavement camp for families whose child has died from serious illness. Interviews were completed with 12 parents who had participated in a three-camp cycle of the program over 12-month period, including a subgroup who had also attended a reunion camp. Interviews were also conducted with program staff. Thematic analysis generated key themes relating to the perceived impact which suggest that those engaged in this program perceived positive contributions associated with participation, including perceptions of positive impact on coping with bereavement, access to support and implications for family functioning. This study highlights the areas of impact associated with engagement in a therapeutic recreation-based bereavement intervention, and the potential contribution of wider access to these programs for families whose child has died from serious illness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To promote open and safe access to court hearings for families and professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic, juvenile and family courts across the United States shifted towards virtual hearings in child welfare cases. Drawing on findings from a four state court observation study conducted pre and post emergence of the pandemic, as well as from a national survey of court professionals and a survey of parents, we reflect on the experiences of courts and court participants with virtual hearings in child welfare cases and specific impacts on hearing quality. Findings indicate that despite stakeholder perceptions, there is little difference in the quality of hearings with respect to judicial engagement and discussion. Differences were found however, in the attendance of fathers and relatives at hearings, with less fathers and relatives attending virtual hearings. Parents had mixed experiences with the virtual hearing process. Professionals noted challenges, as well as strategies for overcoming challenges, to engage parents and ensure their access to virtual hearings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Early adolescent children communicate on smartphones and social media, resulting in online sexual risks and potential adverse health outcomes. This study investigated parents' awareness of early adolescent engagement in online sexual risks on smartphones and social media and the protective practices used to mitigate these risks. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 English-speaking parents of early adolescent children 11–14 years old in North and South Carolina. Data were analyzed using a qualitative descriptive approach and thematic analysis. Parents expressed awareness of online sexual risks on smartphones and social media and engaged in protective practices to mitigate online risks, including communication and restrictions tailored to accessed content and social connections with unknown individuals online. Professionals can support parents through education targeted to risks and protective measures associated with these online devices and platforms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article interrogates shared reading between parents and young children, theorised as 'sensory affinities', understood through a sociological lens. I argue that reading cannot be confined to educational aspects, and towards increased prominence for relational dimensions. I explore the narratives of 29 parents/carers of reading with young children. Drawing on data on the embodied aspects of reading, Mason's concept of affinities illuminates the sensory facets of reading applied to family intimacies. Interventions have hitherto distilled literacy from the wider social context. However, an understanding of reading in the context of families from diverse backgrounds, yields insights into the sensory character of everyday family life. Findings are of significance to sociology broadly, and specifically, families and relationships. Centring families facilitates a fuller understanding of literacy practices. Finally, the focus on an everyday, tangible practice such as reading can support understandings of hidden and taken-for-granted dimensions of family life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parent rating scales are used at increasing rates across disciplines to track child development and determine diagnoses/needs. This study explored relationships among parental stress and the validity of parents' ratings of their child's behaviors. Participants include children who were referred for assessment of behavioral, social-emotional, and development difficulties at a major metropolitan hospital in the United States. Parents completed rating scales regarding their own stress (PSI-4-SF) and child behaviors (BASC-3). Present findings indicate caution is warranted when interpreting parent report data of their child's behavior in the context of significant parenting stress. Relying exclusively on parent-report information to assess young children in clinical setting appears contraindicated. Family/situational factors beyond the individual child are important to assess. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To document the impact of early follow-up by specialized cleft nurses (SCNs) to families of infants with cleft lip and/or cleft palate (CL/P). Design: Prospective inclusion of a control group, which received standard care alone, followed by an intervention group, which in addition received early SCN follow-up. Setting: The cleft lip and palate team at a University hospital. Participants: 70 families (69 mothers and 57 fathers); control group (n = 38); intervention group (n = 32). Intervention: SCNs offered a consultation at the maternity ward and follow-ups by phone or face-to-face at one, three, eight weeks and six months after birth. Outcome measures: Use of Internet-Questionnaire, Quality of discharge teaching scale (QDTS), Post discharge coping difficulty scale (PDCDS), Response on follow-up by health professionals. Results: Infants in the intervention group were admitted less frequently to a Neonatal Intensive Care unit (NICU); 21.9% vs 51.4%, P =.012. Parents in the intervention group used internet for cleft-related reasons less frequently (74.6% vs 85.9%), P =.112 and the mothers benefitted less from cleft-related activity on the internet (P =.013). The intervention group reported higher mean score for satisfaction with total cleft care (P =.001). There were no significant group differences regarding mean total score for discharge teaching (P =.315) and coping difficulties (P =.919). Conclusion: Early follow-up by a SCN with expertise in cleft care is highly valued by parents. Closer cooperation between the cleft team and health professionals at birth hospitals and Child health centers is necessary for optimal follow-up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The objectives of this study were to assess the oral health status and parental perception of oral health needs of pediatric patients in an urban Craniofacial Center. Design: This research utilized a prospective cross-sectional matched study design. The data was collected prospectively via clinical oral examinations measuring dental caries experience and gingival health status. Parental perception of oral health was assessed through a validated questionnaire. Setting: The study was conducted at a Pediatric Dentistry Department and Craniofacial Center (CFC) in a large urban American city. Patients/Participants: Participants were recruited and enrolled from a CFC and Pediatric Dental Clinic. Main Outcome Measure(s): The outcome measures were the oral health status and parental perception thereof. Results: CFC patients' caries experience in primary teeth was significantly lower than that of a healthy matched cohort, but statistically similar in permanent teeth. CFC patients had significantly higher unmet dental treatment needs. CFC patients had poor oral hygiene and were shown to have significantly higher plaque levels and worse gingival health than that of a healthy matched cohort. Parental perception of oral health did not show a statistically significantly difference between the two groups. Conclusions: Patients in our study in an urban CFC were found to have a high unmet dental and poor oral hygiene. Despite the poor oral health status, parents of children with craniofacial anomalies did perceive their oral health as different from a matched cohort of patients without these conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Birth parents are the most stigmatized and least researched part of the adoption triad and they experience microaggressions from a number of sources. With the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, birth parents' needs and stories deserve to be elevated. Using the adoption microaggressions framework, this qualitative study examined birth parents' lived experiences and the microaggressions they have heard and internalized. Microaggressions specific to birth parents and the adoption process were identified. The most frequently occurring microaggressions against birth parents included: Shameful Inadequate, Institutional Microaggressions, and Phantom Birth Parents. Implications for counseling and training are provided for working with members of the adoption triad. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports follow-up findings for an Mentalization based treatment (MBT) parenting intervention delivered to a community mental health sample. Parents completed the 12-week version of the Lighthouse Parenting Program (LPP) and were evaluated on parenting practices, parent-child relationships, parental mental health indicators, and child problem behaviour levels. We evaluated the extent to which improvements in mentalizing at follow-up mediated changes in parenting, parental adjustment, mental health, and child outcomes. Results included a reduction in parental coercive behaviours and child problems, improved parent-child relationship, and better parental psychological adjustment and mental health. Improvement in self-focused mentalizing were observed. Self-focused mentalizing mediated the changes in most outcomes from baseline to 3-month follow-up. These results provide strong preliminary evidence that the LPP improves parent and child outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Concerns have been raised about genomic studies of autism. Most recently, the Spectrum 10 K study was paused due to criticism from the autistic community. This situation raised important questions about how the autistic and autism communities perceive genomic research. The Personal Experiences of Autism and Perceptions of DNA-based-research study was established to address this issue. Twenty parents of nonverbal or minimally verbal autistic children took part in the current study. Data were provided in diverse formats including online interviews, telephone interviews, and writing. This approach was co-produced with autistic experts by experience. Data were analysed using reflexive Thematic Analysis. We found that participants were supportive of autism research, including some genomic research, if it is designed to support autistic people and is ethical and transparent. However, while some believed that polygenic scores, genomic predictors of the statistical probability of being autistic, would be helpful, others argued that this would only be true in an ideal world. Participants felt that they and their children were often excluded from, and unrepresented by, the autistic and autism communities. We conclude that genomic researchers need to work with the autistic and autism communities to design future work, and that it is important to ensure a representative range of voices are heard. In Summer 2021, a genomic study of autism, Spectrum 10 K, was paused due to backlash from the autistic and autism communities. This raised important questions about how these communities perceive genomic research. The Personal Experiences of Autism and Perceptions of DNA-based research study was established to address this issue among a range of sub-groups within these communities. Twenty parents of nonverbal or minimally verbal autistic children took part in the current study. Data were provided in diverse formats including online interviews, telephone interviews, and writing. This approach was co-produced with autistic experts by experience and involved a parent of a minimally verbal autistic child. Data were analysed using reflexive Thematic Analysis. We found that participants were supportive of autism research, including some genomic research, as long as it is designed to support autistic people and is ethical and transparent. However, while some believed that polygenic scores, genomic predictors of the statistical probability of being autistic, would be helpful, others argued that this would only be true in an ideal world and that the world is too far from ideal. Participants felt excluded from the autistic and autism communities and that the dominant voices in those communities do not represent them or their children. We concluded that genomic researchers need to work with the autistic and autism communities to design future work, and that it is important to ensure a representative range of voices are heard. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the mechanisms that underlie the effect of school marketing strategies on parents' perceived school attractiveness, particularly emphasizing the mediating role of parents' perceptions of being welcomed in urban schools. Additionally, we investigated how schools' marketing strategies work differently among parents with different value orientations toward schooling. Structural Equation Modeling and Cluster Analysis Data were applied to analyze 510 questionnaires collected from parents. Two experiential marketing strategies, namely, one-way disseminating materials and interactive social networking, impacted parents' perceived attractiveness of schools differently with the feeling of being welcomed mediating the relationship between parents and schools. Additionally, parents' value orientations toward schooling could be classified into three profiles. The results suggest that schools should consider parents' needs and preferences concerning their children's schooling and employ appropriate marketing strategies to engage different types of parents. To facilitate this outcome, individualized interaction is necessary to accommodate the diverse needs of parents. The overall structural equation model validates the mechanism of experiential marketing in influencing parental perceptions, and the cluster analysis underscores the need to explore the complex relationship between parents' educational priorities and their interpretation of marketing strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Adolescent rights refer to moral or legal entitlements that are reasonable, justifiable, and include provision (care), protection (safety), and participation (self-expression), which can be categorized as nurturance rights and self- determination rights. Studies from the global north have established links between the rights of children/adolescents and parenting practices, with endorsement of self-determination rights. However, with a changing sociocultural landscape, this concept has received little attention in the Indian context. Aim and Objectives: To explore adolescents' attitude toward their rights, their relationship with the perceived parenting style, and identifying the predictors of their overall rights in a South Indian metropolitan city. Methods: The sample consisted of 186 adolescents (100 women and 86 men) between 14 and 19 years (median age = 17 years). Modified Child Rights Attitude Questionnaire and Parental Authority Questionnaire – Mother and Father Form were used in the study. The data were analyzed using Wilcoxon's Test, Kendall's Tau, and multiple linear regression. Results: The findings indicated that the adolescents expressed a positive attitude toward nurturance rights over self-determination rights. A significant correlation was found between adolescents' attitude toward overall rights and the perceived parenting styles: fathers' permissive, authoritarian, and authoritative-flexible parenting styles and mothers' authoritarian and authoritative-flexible parenting styles. Gender, academic performance, birth order, and time spent with parents emerged as significant predictors of adolescents' overall attitude toward their rights. Conclusion: The study highlighted the endorsement of nurturance rights by adolescent participants which has potential implications for understanding the rights of adolescents in the contexts of self and family, autonomy, education, and the need for awareness and acknowledgment of rights. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The phenomenon of 'parental alienation' is controversial and little explored in the Nordic countries. We wanted to investigate whether parental alienation is a valid concept and how it is perceived in a Nordic context. Material and method: The study was based on an online survey where the participants were self-recruited. We received responses from 1212 participants. Bivariate and multivariate models were used to test the associations between parental alienation and gender, other intimate partner violence, depressive health problems and reduced well-being. Results: Visitation sabotage and parental alienation are realities for both fathers and mothers. It was most frequently directed at fathers, but such behaviour is not gender specific. Eight different alienation strategies have high internal reliability, and all items contribute to high Cronbach's alpha. Construct validity was confirmed by the fact that parental alienation is strongly associated with visitation sabotage and with other forms of destructive relational behaviour. Visitation sabotage and false accusations increase gradually with the degree of parental alienation. The construct validity of parental alienation was also confirmed by dose–response associations with both mental ill-health and impaired well-being in adjusted analyses. Conclusions: The phenomenon of parental alienation is recognized among parents as a form of harmful behaviour where both mothers and fathers suffer. The construct validity was supported in this study. Such behaviour should be recognized as a form of domestic violence by professional communities in health and social services and be subject to legal action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Parent/carers of disabled children want timely and personalized support. Research suggests that technology may address some limitations associated with traditional methods of communication with therapists (e.g. letter, telephone). This exploratory study examined United Kingdom (UK) parents and carers views on the use of digital technology (i.e. computers/phones) in supporting their child and the potential for its greater use in the care of children with complex needs. Methods: An online survey was distributed via special schools and support forums/networks. Questions explored use of and attitudes to digital technology in the care of children with complex needs. Descriptive statistical analyses and content analyses were undertaken on the data. Results: Respondents were 43 parents/carers whose children used rehabilitation services prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. The majority used digital technology frequently to support their child and saw the potential for greater use in rehabilitation services – provided this was not at the expense of in-person therapist contact. Conclusion: Parents and carers held positive views of digital technology as a tool to support their child and enhance rehabilitation services. Recommendations include regular service consultation on parental/child attitudes to digital service delivery and longitudinal studies to assess related health outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Few evidence-based psychosocial programs exist within craniofacial care. This study (a) assessed feasibility and acceptability of the Promoting Resilience in Stress Management-Parent (PRISM-P) intervention among caregivers of children with craniofacial conditions and (b) described barriers and facilitators of caregiver resilience to inform program adaptation. Design: In this single-arm cohort study, participants completed a baseline demographic questionnaire, the PRISM-P program, and an exit interview. Participants: Eligible individuals were English-speaking legal guardians of a child <12-years-old with a craniofacial condition. Intervention: PRISM-P included 4 modules (stress-management, goal-setting, cognitive-restructuring, meaning-making) delivered in 2 one-on-one phone or videoconference sessions 1–2 weeks apart. Main Outcome Measures: Feasibility was defined as >70% program completion among enrolled participants; acceptability was defined as >70% willingness to recommend PRISM-P. Intervention feedback and caregiver-perceived barriers and facilitators of resilience were summarized qualitatively. Results: Twenty caregivers were approached and 12 (60%) enrolled. The majority were mothers (67%) of a child <1-year-old diagnosed with a cleft lip and/or palate (83%) or craniofacial microsomia (17%). Of these, 8 (67%) completed PRISM-P and 7 (58%) completed interviews; 4 (33%) were lost-to-follow-up before PRISM-P and 1 (8%) before the interview. Feedback was highly positive, with 100% willing to recommend PRISM-P. Perceived barriers to resilience included uncertainty about their child's health; facilitators included social support, parental identity, knowledge, and control. Conclusions: PRISM-P was acceptable among caregivers of children with craniofacial conditions but not feasible based on program completion rates. Barriers and facilitators of resilience support the appropriateness of PRISM-P for this population and inform adaptation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Families increasingly use online resources to acquire medical information about their child's condition with little understanding of the legitimacy of the source of information or of the information itself. We evaluate the quality and readability of online information related to positional head shape conditions and identify unmet needs for healthcare providers to improve online patient education. Design: The search terms "flat head baby," "brachycephaly," and "plagiocephaly" were queried on the Google search engine and the first 20 websites for each were reviewed. Included websites were evaluated for quality using the DISCERN Instrument and readability using the Flesch-Kincaid Reading Grade Level (FKGL) and Flesch Reading Ease Score (FRES). Websites were categorized by upload source and results were compared using one-way ANOVA. Results: 38 websites met inclusion criteria. There was no significant correlation between DISCERN score and Google search rank between the three search terms. Professional organizations provided websites with the highest mean DISCERN score (56.3) and commercial websites with the lowest score (36.6, P =.003), indicating "good" and "poor" quality content, respectively. Readability assessments showed an overall average FKGL of 9.9 and FRES of 54.4, suggesting "fairly difficult". Hospitals provided the most website results and tended to publish lower quality information, yet are the most readable. Conclusions: High quality websites written at an appropriate reading level for the general public are lacking. A review of online resources for positional head shape conditions can be used to derive recommendations to improve the content of online patient education for pediatric healthcare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article is part of Legal Issues 101, a series of topics addressing some common questions and misconceptions about the law and school health. School nurse job responsibilities differ regarding monitoring student attendance and assisting school administrators with required truancy reporting. However, all school nurses support student attendance with a focus on students being safe, healthy, and ready to learn. In this article, the authors address frequently asked questions on topics surrounding student attendance including excused and unexcused absences, truancy, parent/guardian engagement, and related laws. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the relationship between the accuracy of parental reporting of children's sleep duration compared to objectively measured child sleep and tested whether any discrepancies were related to childhood obesity prevalence in a sample of Latinx families (N = 119). A paired sample t-test revealed that parents significantly overestimated their child's sleep duration by 1.33 hours, t (86) = 6.69, p <.001. Using a one-way ANOVA, no significant differences were found in children's BMI percentile when grouped by the parent's accuracy of their child's sleep duration F (3, 83) =.76, p =.52. A potential, although non-significant, trend regarding parent accuracy and child BMI may merit further examination. Future research should seek to determine if the discrepancy in parent reported child sleep duration is indeed linked with increased child BMI and if this knowledge could be used in targeted intervention efforts to reduce childhood obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parental bereavement is often considered one of the most harrowing life experiences. Yet, little is known about losing an adult child in older age. In this qualitative, descriptive study, nine interviews lasting 45 to 120 minutes were conducted with parents who were 65 years or older at the time of their adult child's death. All interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed by two researchers independently. Four main themes were identified: disbelief, injustice, uncertainty, and readjustment. The themes were then compared and contrasted with the extant literature to support validity of the findings. The results have implications for future research and practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sleep is essential for maintenance and restoration of health, yet studies exploring this in hospitalized children are scarce. In a qualitative study, we assessed the perceived quality of sleep, factors affecting sleep, and the role of health care professionals in the sleep environment for hospitalized children aged 1 to 12 years. Data were obtained from 11 semi-structured, audio-recorded, and verbatim-transcribed interviews with parents, and analyzed using a systematic thematic analysis. The interviews were coded based on iterative assessment of transcripts. Subsequently, categories and interpretative main themes were identified. Four themes emerged: (1) being informed, keeping informed; (2) coordination of care; (3) parents as main advocates for their child's sleep; and (4) environmental disturbers. Parents reported differences in their child's sleep quality during hospital compared with home. Sleep is substantially affected during hospitalization, prompting the need for interventions to improve the quality of sleep of children. Parents provided valuable suggestions for improvements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The death of a child in the intrauterine stage has legal, psychological, spiritual, and health-related connotations that condition the woman's experience. To understand better the processes set in motion around early pregnancy loss, this ethnographic study explores the experiences of miscarriage in a group of 15 women. The following themes are analyzed: Experience of losing the child, spirituality, health care, and the need to physically recognize the child. The study shows that the need women have to honor the child who did not live may be conditioned by the perception of an uncertain loss and by the absence of a place to honor him/her. Attitudes among professionals are revealed that could be perceived as gender-related abuse. The care of women places emphasis on physical aspects, underlining the lack of comprehensive care during the grieving process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article describes the development and use of a first of its kind statewide implementation of an adapted Early Start Denver Model (ESDM). Supported by a collaborative partnership between stakeholders that included families, state agencies, and a state university, the intervention was implemented within the existing framework of a northeastern state's relationship-based Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part C early intervention program. Participants were 194 families. The study examined the effectiveness and implementation costs of an adaptation of the ESDM using a coaching model to inform statewide implementation to improve outcomes for young children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in rural and low-resource states. Results indicated 194 children who received a monthly average of 10.90 hr of adapted ESDM for an average of 12 months demonstrated an improvement in the frequency of ASD symptomology for a total cost of US$2,511/child. Intervention intensity and child factors demonstrated varying influence on outcomes. This study contributes to the literature by demonstrating the potential for positive impact of an evidence-based practice scaled to a statewide model of early intervention for young children with ASD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anecdotal evidence has suggested that rater-based measures (e.g., parent report) may have strong across-trait/within-individual covariance that detracts from trait-specific measurement precision; rater measurement-related bias may help explain poor correlation within Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) samples between rater-based and performance-based measures of the same trait. We used a multi-trait, multi-method approach to examine method-associated bias within an ASD sample (n = 83). We examined performance/rater-instrument pairs for attention, inhibition, working memory, motor coordination, and core ASD features. Rater-based scores showed an overall greater methodology bias (57% of variance in score explained by method), while performance-based scores showed a weaker methodology bias (22%). The degree of inter-individual variance explained by method alone substantiates an anecdotal concern associated with the use of rater measures in ASD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Children's Palliative Outcome Scale (C-POS) is being developed using best methodological guidance on outcome measure development, This recommends cognitive testing, an established method of item improvement, prior to psychometric testing. Aim: To cognitively test C-POS within the target population to establish comprehensibility, comprehensiveness, relevance and acceptability. Design: Cross-sectional cognitive interview study following COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) methodology and Rothrock guidance on outcome measure development. Cognitive interviews were conducted using 'think aloud' and verbal probing techniques. Setting/participants: Children 5–⩽17 years old with life-limiting conditions and parents/carers of children with life-limiting conditions were recruited from 14 UK sites. Results: Forty-eight individuals participated (36 parents; 12 children) in cognitively testing the five versions of C-POS over two to seven rounds. Content and length were acceptable, and all questions were considered important. Refinements were made to parent/carer versions to be inclusive of non-verbal children such as changing 'share' to 'express' feelings; and 'being able to ask questions' to 'having the appropriate information'. Changes to improve comprehensibility of items such as 'living life to the fullest' were also made. Parents reported that completing an outcome measure can be distressing but this is anticipated and that being asked is important. Conclusion: Cognitive interviewing has facilitated refinement of the C-POS, especially for non-verbal children who represent a large proportion of those with a life-limiting condition. This study has enhanced the face and content validity of the measure and provided preliminary evidence for acceptability for use in routine practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The widespread expansion of school choice policies has bolstered the consumer-education paradigm where parents compete for what they perceive to be a limited number of high quality schools. In this comparative case study, we examine advantaged White parents' perceptions of meritocracy in the context of a competitive elementary and high school choice system in New York City. We find that parents' critique the choice policies and the unfair burdens they place on low-income and immigrant families while engaging in opportunity hoarding to ensure their children's privileged access to the most competitive schools, all while dismissing claims that school choice is meritocratic. Ultimately, advantaged parents' suggest returning to neighborhood zoning which would preserve their access to exclusive, high performing schools and avoid the stress and inequities of school choice policies. This study offers further examples of the powerful influence of contradictory White discourse in the context of education policy and reform. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the discussion on blended feeds were recognized to be much more viscous than formula, raising concern for tube obstructions. Topics include gastrostomy tube placement is among the most common procedures in the pediatric population; and nutrition service can arrange to evaluate and provide recommendations for the patient on the day of surgery.

A recent systematic review reported positive associations between parents and children's physical activity participation. Moreover, parents' perceptions of the importance and value of physical activity can influence their children's participation in it. Our aim in this study was to develop and validate an instrument to assess parents' perceptions of the importance of physical activity and physical education. After first creating the instrument, we conducted content and exploratory factorial validation and reliability analyses of it with 93 parents (M age = 44.76, SD = 6.05, range = 31–66 years; 73 females, 20 males). The result was a 9-item instrument, with items assessed on a 5-point Likert scale and grouped into three factors: (a) importance of physical education; (b) importance of engaging in physical activity or sport; and (c) importance of joining your children in physical activity or sport. In a second confirmatory factor analysis with 224 parents (M age = 44.53, SD = 6.07; 174 or 77.7% females and 50 or 22.3% males) we confirmed the factor validity and reliability previously analyzed (χ 2 = 42.77, df = 24, p =.011, GFI = 0.96, NFI = 0.98, NNFI = 0.99, CFI = 0.99, RMSEA = 0.06 (90% CI: 0,04, 0.08), SRMR = 0.04, ECVI = 0.04, CR = 0.70–0.87). Thus, the new Physical Activity and Physical Education Importance for Parents Scale (PAPEIPS) is a valid and reliable instrument for measuring parents' perceived importance of physical activity and physical education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines whether there is a relation between assigned skin tone and parental racial socialization of their young children (ages 5–8). The concurrent mixed methods design combined quantitative and qualitative findings to explore the complexity and role skin tones play in Black parents' messages to their children. In the quantitative strand, 178 Black parents completed a survey and questionnaire. The qualitative strand consisted of a one-on-one interview with 10 parents from the quantitative sample. Quantitative findings revealed that parents who assigned a light skin tone to their children engaged in more specific types of racial socialization than those who assigned a darker skin tone to their children. Analysis of qualitative interviews revealed parents' unique messages based on assigned skin tones. Data from the two strands were integrated using a weaving approach that compared findings from both strands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adolescents in foster care are removed from their families of origin and are placed with foster families for temporary care until they are able to be granted a more permanent placement. This purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the bonding experience of adolescents in foster care = with their foster parents. This study included 10 foster parents who had an African-American adolescent between the ages of 12 to 18 in their care. Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. The analysis began with coding to develop an understanding of the bonding experiences between adolescents and their foster parents. Four processes emerged that seemed to influence bonding: communicating in conflict with empathy or assertion, sharing personal time, creating rituals, and offering support. Foster parents appeared to demonstrate the processes when there was a focus on the adolescent being a part of the family. This present study has implications for theory, research, and practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Early research suggests that the COVID-19 pandemic may impact parental functioning. The purpose of this study was to examine parents' concerns during the pandemic and to explore the characteristics of families who may be particularly vulnerable to parenting concerns. Data were drawn from an online crowdsourcing survey of parents of children under age 15 in Canada (N = 32,228). Many parents were very or extremely concerned about managing child behaviour (61%) and having less patience with, scolding, or yelling at their children (46%). Family characteristics, including working from home, age of children, number of adults in the home, and child disability were associated with these parenting concerns in logistic regression models. Results are discussed in the context of the known impacts of stress on parenting and families, highlighting family-level and pandemic-specific stressors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gifted children and their parents often cope with challenges arising from their high abilities and the particular educational needs that these entail. The current research aims to map the available and desired resources for gifted children and their families in rural and central regions. The research stems from the resource-oriented approach to gifted education that identifies five exogenous learning resources, termed educational capital. As the availability of these resources can be context-dependent, the current study examines rural and central regions as diverse spatial areas. Using a qualitative approach, 26 in-depth interviews were conducted with parents and educators from two diverse regions in Israel. Thematic analysis found that parents and educators from both regions described the available resources similarly, with the exception of the economic, infrastructural, and didactic resources, which are less available in the rural region. In addition, parents and teachers in the rural region defined personal parental resources and educational knowledge as being more desirable than their counterparts in the center. The findings suggest that resources for the gifted are more family centered than community- or region-centered. Focusing on two different spatial areas, this study examines the possible interplay between location or geography and gifted children and their available educational capital. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The ideal time for nasoalveolar molding (NAM) of infants with cleft lip and/or palate (CLP) is the first weeks after birth. The burden and responsibility that this method of treatment imposes on parents may result in incompliance. The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and the redirection of health resources can make the situation worse. Therefore, this study evaluated the anxiety, complications, and incompliance of parents undergoing NAM during the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and methods: Demographic data of 35 infants with CLP treated during the COVID-19 pandemic, compliance and level of anxiety of both parents in addition to their complications were reported. The association between different variables and incompliance was evaluated by simple and multiple logistic regressions. The level of significance was considered at P value less than 0.05. Results: The highest level of parental anxiety related to the NAM process was the delay in ending the treatment. Meanwhile, the reason for the highest level of anxiety related to attending the treatment sessions was the probability of the infant's COVID-19 infection. Fathers expressed lower levels of anxiety than mothers, significantly. The most prevalent NAM complication was skin irritation. Parents of younger infants (≤28 days) and those with a history of COVID-19 infection were more compliant. Conclusions: COVID-19 pandemic caused a significant increase in the level of anxiety in both parents, mainly due to the delay in treatment ending and the possibility of infant's infection. Moreover, considering the importance of treatment time, parents of younger infants were more compliant with the NAM process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Menarche can be a difficult transition for young people. With appropriate education, youth can feel more positively about the menstrual experience. Since many elementary teachers are not equipped with menstrual health knowledge, the education falls to the school nurse. However, it is unknown if school nurses feel comfortable communicating about menstruation with young people. The purpose of this study was to explore school nurses' perceptions regarding menstrual health education in elementary schools (grades K-5). An online mixed-methods survey was established using Qualtrics. Through snowball sampling, 30 elementary school nurses responded. Using the Integrated Behavioral Model (IBM) as a framework, a deductive semantic thematic analysis was used to identify themes for each question. Data suggested that elementary school nurses would participate in professional development regarding menstrual health and hygiene. School health nurses are receiving limited knowledge/skills surrounding pedagogy and are not familiar with cultural differences when it comes to menstrual health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy is the property of Sage Publications Inc. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

A 7-year longitudinal study was conducted as part of the French national cohort ELFE (N = 1095). The aim was to identify how and why early language skills at 2 years might predict later literacy skills assessed successively at 5, 7, and 9 years (LitSk5y; 7y; 9y). Using one and the same model, we also examined the relations between literacy skills in the three sessions and the potential impact of three environmental variables: the home learning environment (HLE) and two variables related to socioeconomic status (SES), namely, parental education level (PEL) and household income (HInc). The main findings reveal that expressive vocabulary at 2 years is a significant predictor of LitSk5y. No significant link was found for HLE. The other significant links reveal that PEL is associated with LitSk5y and LitSk7y, and HInc with LitSk5y and LitSk9y. The differential impact of these two SES variables is discussed. Moreover, the restructuring lexical model is proposed to explain how the development of early expressive vocabulary is linked to the development of literacy skills via an implicit stimulation of phonemic awareness during the acquisition of new words. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This service evaluation explored the experiences of families receiving care in a paediatric chronic fatigue service. The evaluation aimed to improve service provision across paediatric chronic fatigue services more widely. Methods: Children and young people aged 7–18 years (n = 25) and parents/carers (n = 25) completed a postal survey exploring experiences of a paediatric chronic fatigue service. Quantitative data were analysed descriptively, and qualitative data were analysed using thematic analysis. Results: Most service usersand parents/carers (88%) agreed that the service met their needs, that they felt supported by staff, and most notably, a large portion (74%) reported the team increased their activity levels. A small number disagreed (7%) with statements relating to positive links with other services, ease of talking to staff and suitability of appointment type. The thematic analysis revealed three themes: help managing chronic fatigue syndrome, experience of professional support and accessibility of service. Families reported benefiting from increased understanding of chronic fatigue syndrome, learning new strategies, the team linking with schools, feeling validated and mental health support. Accessibility was a particular problem including the service location, setup of appointments and difficulty contacting the team. Discussion: The evaluation presents recommendations for paediatric Chronic Fatigue services to improve service user experiences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: This study was conducted in a clinical setting with the aim of replicating previously used procedures for teaching receptive vocabulary. Researchers increased the number of vocabulary words and maintained use of match-to-sample (MtS), prompting, and reinforcement procedures. Researchers were also interested in the efficacy of the intervention from caregivers' perspectives. Methods: Using a concurrent multiple baseline design, two autistic preschoolers with receptive language impairment were taught to identify 30 common objects. MtS, prompting, and reinforcement procedures were individualized to support each child. Maintenance checks and generalization probes were completed after a predetermined number of intervention sessions (i.e. three or four clinic sessions). A social validity questionnaire was completed by parents following the final maintenance check. Results: Receptive object identification improved significantly for both participants. Despite exposure to vocabulary targets for only three or four sessions, they generalized the vocabulary targets to non-identical pictures and maintained words at maintenance checks. Participants were most successful when researchers individualized prompting and reinforcement. Conclusion: MtS, prompting, and reinforcement were effective procedures for improving object identification, even with a limited number of intervention sessions. To support varying learner profiles, modifying prompting and reinforcement procedures was necessary. Caregivers of both participants reported positive improvements in areas such as communication, attention, and behaviors. Implications: This replicated study provides support for MtS, prompting, and reinforcement as means of teaching receptive vocabulary to autistic preschoolers in a clinical setting. The materials used were simple and cost-effective. Overall, this study outlines and supports a flexible and effective evidence-based practice to teach receptive language to autistic children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Literature on the delivery and impact of foster parent training, such as the Nurturing Parenting Program (NPP), is sparse, particularly for relative foster parents. This study investigates (a) how NPP referral, initiation, and completion rates vary between relative and non-relative foster parents, (b) reasons for not initiating NPP, and (c) changes in parenting attitudes and behaviors for relative and non-relative foster parents after participating in NPP. The study analyzed data from the Illinois Birth to Three (IB3) study for 722 relative and 397 non-relative foster parents of children ages three and younger. Relative and non-relative foster parents had similar NPP referral and initiation rates, but relatives had significantly lower completion rates. Content analysis of case notes for 498 cases showed that relative foster parents more frequently noted barriers (e.g., childcare, transportation) to NPP initiation. Among NPP completers, both groups reported similar levels of improvements in parenting attitudes and behaviors at the end of NPP, but a pattern of lower scores was observed for relative foster parents. The findings suggest a need for more support for foster parents, particularly relative foster parents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]