Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 1, 2026
07:56
Assessing the Coherence of Parents' Short Narratives Regarding their Child Using the Five-Minute Speech Sample Procedure
Published on: September 19, 2019
10.5K
What factors influence feeling competent as a parent with multiple sclerosis?
Michele Messmer Uccelli1, Michela Ponzio1, Silvia Traversa1
1Italian Multiple Sclerosis Society Research Foundation, Genoa, Italy.
Chronic Illness
|December 24, 2019
Summary
Parents with multiple sclerosis (MS) experience lower parenting competence when facing anxiety, depression, and dysfunctional coping. Positive coping and better quality of life enhance their sense of parenting competence.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Psychology
- Public Health
Background:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) significantly impacts individuals, including those who are parents.
- Parenting competence is crucial for child development and family well-being.
- Understanding factors influencing parenting competence in MS is vital for targeted support.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify factors affecting the parenting competence perception of parents diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.
- To explore the relationship between mental health, coping mechanisms, quality of life, and parenting self-efficacy in this population.
Main Methods:
- An anonymous online questionnaire collected data from 285 parents with MS.
- Variables assessed included demographics, disease characteristics, mood, coping strategies, quality of life (SF-12), and perceived social support.
- Univariate and multivariate analyses were employed to determine significant associations.
Main Results:
- Anxiety, depression, and dysfunctional coping were independently associated with lower parenting sense of competence.
- Problem-focused coping and higher SF-12 scores (physical and mental) correlated with increased parenting competence.
- Older parental age was linked to a decreased sense of parenting competence.
Conclusions:
- Parenting competence in individuals with MS is strongly influenced by mood, coping strategies, and health-related quality of life.
- These identified factors are potentially modifiable, suggesting avenues for therapeutic interventions.
- Interventions should focus on improving mental health and promoting adaptive coping mechanisms to bolster parenting confidence.
Related Concept Videos
01:18Sources of Self-Esteem I: Family Experience
144
Self-esteem, a crucial component of psychological development, is significantly shaped by familial experiences. The early parent-child relationship serves as a foundational influence on a child's self-concept, with long-lasting effects extending into adolescence and adulthood.Parental Behaviors and Early Self-Esteem FormationEmpirical studies have identified four principal parental behaviors that foster healthy self-esteem in children. These include expressions of acceptance, affection, and...
144
03:00Self-Evaluation: Self-Enhancement and Self-Verification
5.7K
Social psychologists have documented that feeling good about ourselves and maintaining positive self-esteem is a powerful motivator of human behavior (Tavris & Aronson, 2008). In the United States, members of the predominant culture typically think very highly of themselves and view themselves as good people who are above average on many desirable traits (Ehrlinger, Gilovich, & Ross, 2005). Often, our behavior, attitudes, and beliefs are affected when we experience a threat to our...
5.7K
01:23Influence of Parents and Peers on Identity
411
Adolescence is a pivotal period of identity formation, during which individuals begin to answer questions central to their sense of self, such as "Who am I?" and "Who do I hope to become?" Both parents and peers play critical roles in guiding adolescents through this complex developmental phase.
Parental Influence on Identity Development
Parents serve as primary guides and managers in an adolescent's life, offering support instrumental in decision-making and personal growth....
Parental Influence on Identity Development
Parents serve as primary guides and managers in an adolescent's life, offering support instrumental in decision-making and personal growth....
411
01:24Sources of Self-Esteem II: Performance Feedback
156
Self-esteem is intricately tied to our perception of competence and our ability to exert control over our lives. One of the primary sources of this perception is performance feedback — the ongoing evaluation of our actions in terms of success and failure. According to Franks and Marolla (1976), people derive self-worth from experiencing themselves as causal agents, capable of achieving goals and overcoming obstacles. This process nurtures a critical component of self-esteem:...
156
01:20Social Foundations of Self II: The Generalized Other
202
According to George Herbert Mead, as children progress beyond the game stage, they develop a more comprehensive understanding of societal rules and norms. This cognitive and social development enables them to internalize the expectations of the broader community, refining their ability to regulate behavior.Consistent participation in organized activities is crucial in helping children recognize that their actions are not isolated but contribute to a more significant, interconnected group...
202
01:29Relationship with Other Adult Family Members and Siblings
144
Other adult family members and siblings play a crucial role in shaping children’s social and emotional development. While parents or primary caregivers are often the central figures in early attachment and socialization, other adults in a child’s life, such as grandparents, aunts, and uncles, can significantly influence developmental outcomes. These influences depend on each adult’s personality and may help compensate when a primary caregiver is emotionally distant or...
144