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Parenting Stress Related to Behavioral Problems and Disease Severity in Children with Problematic Severe Asthma
Marieke Verkleij1,2,3, Erik-Jonas van de Griendt4, Vivian Colland5
1Merem Netherlands Asthma Center, Davos, Switzerland. m.verkleij@vumc.nl.
Insights
Parenting stress in children with severe asthma is linked to more behavioral issues and airway inflammation, especially in mothers. Addressing parenting stress is crucial for comprehensive care in these children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Child Psychology
Background:
- Problematic severe asthma affects children's quality of life.
- Parenting stress is a known factor in pediatric chronic illnesses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine parenting stress in relation to behavioral problems and disease severity in children with problematic severe asthma.
Main Methods:
- 93 children with problematic severe asthma and their parents (86 mothers, 59 fathers) participated.
- Parenting Stress Index and Child Behavior Checklist were used.
- Fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) measured airway inflammation.
Main Results:
- Parenting Stress Index scores were lower than in reference groups.
- Higher parenting stress correlated with increased internalizing and externalizing behavioral problems.
- Maternal parenting stress was associated with higher FeNO levels.
Conclusions:
- Despite generally low scores, elevated parenting stress is linked to worse outcomes in children with severe asthma.
- Interventions should address child behavioral problems, disease exacerbations, and parental stress.
Abstract:
Our study examined parenting stress and its association with behavioral problems and disease severity in children with problematic severe asthma. Research participants were 93 children (mean age 13.4 ± 2.7 years) and their parents (86 mothers, 59 fathers). As compared to reference groups analyzed in previous research, scores on the Parenting Stress Index in mothers and fathers of the children with problematic severe asthma were low. Higher parenting stress was associated with higher levels of internalizing and externalizing behavioral problems in children (Child Behavior Checklist). Higher parenting stress in mothers was also associated with higher airway inflammation (FeNO). Thus, although parenting stress was suggested to be low in this group, higher parenting stress, especially in the mother, is associated with more airway inflammation and greater child behavioral problems. This indicates the importance of focusing care in this group on all possible sources of problems, i.e., disease exacerbations and behavioral problems in the child as well as parenting stress.
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