Stress and Anxiety Screening in Caregivers of Children with Pediatric Feeding Disorder

ObjectivesCaregivers of children with Pediatric Feeding Disorder (PFD) are at-risk for experiencing anxiety and stress. Given the high prevalence of PFD, many caregivers are susceptible to such symptoms. However, regular screening for caregiver mental health concerns within pediatric clinics is scarce. This study examined rates of caregiver mental health screening completion and levels of anxiety and stress among caregivers of children with PFD.MethodsCaregivers (n = 67) were approached about completing a mental health screener. Descriptive statistics were used to explore completion rates of screenings and levels of stress and anxiety.ResultsSixty-three caregivers (94%) completed the mental health screening and findings reflect high rates of anxiety and stress for this population.ConclusionsThese results highlight the high rates of anxiety and stress in this caregiver population and demonstrate the need for universal screening for caregiver mental health among pediatric feeding clinics.