Relationship Between Parental Intolerance of Uncertainty and Decisional Conflict in Pediatric Otolaryngologic Surgery

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Otolaryngology
• Medical Psychology
• Health Decision Making

Background:

• Parental decisional conflict (DC) is a significant concern in pediatric surgery.
• Understanding psychological factors influencing parental decisions is crucial for effective care.
• Previous research has not fully explored the interplay of anxiety, stress, worry, and intolerance of uncertainty (IU) with DC in this population.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between psychological factors (depression, anxiety, stress, worry, IU) and shared decision-making (SDM) with decisional conflict (DC) in parents of pediatric otolaryngology surgical patients.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study was conducted in an academic pediatric otolaryngology clinic.
• 114 parents/guardians completed validated scales measuring demographics, DC, SDM, depression, anxiety, stress, worry, and IU.
• Statistical analysis assessed correlations between psychological variables and DC.

Main Results:

• Parents reported low DC and depression, with moderate anxiety and stress.
• Decisional conflict (DC) was not significantly correlated with depression, anxiety, stress, worry, or shared decision-making (SDM).
• Higher intolerance of uncertainty (IU) was negatively correlated with decisional conflict (DC), suggesting IU is associated with higher conflict.

Conclusions:

• Intolerance of uncertainty (IU) is associated with decisional conflict (DC) in parents undergoing pediatric otolaryngology surgery.
• Clinicians should consider interventions targeting parental IU to potentially mitigate DC.
• Further research is needed to elucidate the complex relationship between parental mental health and surgical decision-making.