Stress coping strategies in parents of children with central coordination disorders undergoing Vojta therapy: a...

Parents of children with illnesses employ a variety of coping strategies. These strategies can play a crucial role in modulating the level of parental stress and mood. The study aimed to analyse stress-coping strategies used by parents of children with central coordination disorders (CCD) undergoing Vojta therapy over a period of 2 months.

A total of 57 participants who completed questionnaires before starting their child's therapy (T1) and after 2 months (T2), with a mean age of 32.8 (±4.6) were assessed. The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), the Brief COPE Inventory (Mini-COPE) and a self-designed questionnaire were used.

At T1 and T2, the study group of parents most frequently used strategies such as Active Coping and Seeking Emotional Support. Female participants more often than males chose emotional and religious strategies. At T1 and T2, physically active parents significantly more often used the strategy Active Coping and Acceptance (respectively) and had significantly lower stress levels and better mood, compared with inactive parents.

Planned interventions for parents of children with CCD should focus on encouraging them to engage in physical activity and strengthening personal resources by fostering adaptive coping strategies, particularly problem-oriented coping strategies to improve their psychological well-being.