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Toileting concerns, parenting stress, and behavior problems in children with special health care needs
Michelle M Macias1, Kathryn M Roberts, Conway F Saylor
1Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of South Carolina, USA.
Insights
Toileting issues in children with special health care needs (CSHCN) are linked to increased parenting stress and behavior problems. Addressing these concerns is crucial for family well-being and stress prevention.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Health
- Developmental Psychology
- Family Studies
Background:
- Children with special health care needs (CSHCN) often face unique challenges, including toileting difficulties.
- Parenting stress is a significant factor impacting families of CSHCN.
- Behavioral issues can co-occur with health conditions in children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between toileting concerns, behavioral problems, and parenting stress in parents of CSHCN.
- To identify specific factors contributing to parental adjustment.
- To inform interventions for CSHCN and their families.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) and the Parenting Stress Index-Short Form (PSI-SF).
- Included 170 parents (99 male, 71 female) of children aged 4-12 years with specific health conditions (NTD, DBD, IVH history).
- Compared parents reporting toileting concerns with those whose children were continent.
Main Results:
- Parents of CSHCN with toileting concerns reported significantly higher personal distress.
- Externalizing behavior problems were more prevalent in children with toileting concerns.
- Disability type may influence parental adjustment to toileting challenges.
Conclusions:
- Toileting concerns are a significant stressor for parents of CSHCN.
- Direct assessment and intervention for toileting issues are essential for secondary stress prevention.
- Prioritizing toileting support can improve the overall well-being of CSHCN and their families.
Abstract:
This study examined the relationship between toileting concerns, behavior problems, and parenting stress in parents of children with special health care needs (CSHCN). Participants included parents of 99 males and 71 females aged 4 to 12 years with neural tube defects (NTD), developmental-behavioral disabilities (DBD), or history of perinatal intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH). Parents completed the Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) and the Parenting Stress Index-Short Form (PSI-SF). Parents expressing toileting concerns on the CBCL reported significantly more personal distress and more externalizing problems versus those with continent children. Variation within subsamples suggested that expectations based on nature of disability may be a factor in parent adjustment. Direct assessment and intervention of toileting issues should be a high priority in secondary stress prevention with CSHCN and their families.
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