Many Parents (many + parent)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


,Do I don't I call the doctor': a qualitative study of parental perceptions of calling the GP out-of-hours

HEALTH EXPECTATIONS, Issue 4 2000
Anna M. Houston BSc MA RGN RM RHV
The purpose of this study was to investigate how parents use the GP out-of-hours service. There was a lack of information about how parents managed childhood illness and what strategies they put in place to help them to cope before calling the GP. The investigation of parental perceptions was based on a qualitative design using in-depth interviews of 29 families from a semi-rural location in the south-east of England. All parents said they found dealing with a sick child out-of-hours stressful and were concerned to make the right decision for their child. Furthermore, parents usually employed a reasonable strategy in attempting to manage the child's illness. This study demonstrated that the decision to call the doctor was not taken lightly. Many parents had implemented useful strategies prior to calling the doctor. However, most parents were also aware of their limitations and feared doing the wrong thing. It would seem that on occasion this fear combined with factors such as a lack of social support and loss of parental confidence resulted in calling the doctor out of hours to seek ,peace of mind'. A rethink is needed among health professionals about the ,problem' of out-of-hours calls. GPs could actively seek to empower parents by educating them about minor illness during visits and consultations. It is not enough to offer reassurance to parents that their children are fine. Health visitors and other health professionals who come into contact with young families may help to educate and empower. [source]


Parental attitudes to health of children in child-care centres and options when children are ill

JOURNAL OF PAEDIATRICS AND CHILD HEALTH, Issue 6 2000
L M Slack-Smith
Objective: To determine parental attitudes regarding the health of children attending child-care centres, to explore concerns when children who normally attend child care are ill, and to investigate options in these circumstances. Methodology: Focus groups conducted with parents whose children attended child-care centres. Ten focus groups were conducted. Results: Many parents encountered difficulty when children who normally attend child care were ill and there was a lack of options for care. Parents were concerned about the spread of infections among children but considered that there were also many health and other advantages for their children in attending child care. Child-care centres were perceived as providing a valuable support role for families. Conclusions: Many parents lack adequate options for care when their children are ill. Parents' concerns regarding health in child care are important in policy decisions regarding the health of children in child care, and the development of alternative care services for children. [source]


Recommendations for treatment of intermittent mild persistent asthma in children and adolescents

PEDIATRIC PULMONOLOGY, Issue 3 2009
Charles K. Naspitz MD
Abstract Many parents and caretakers of children and adolescents with mild persistent asthma (MPA) do not follow proposed guidelines, namely the daily and continuous administration of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS). Instead, parents and caretakers tend to use ICS and bronchodilators intermittently for short periods and restart such therapy only when symptoms reappear. It is our opinion that intermittent treatment of MPA in children and adolescents might achieve the same level of asthma control as has been achieved in adults. We propose, therefore, that after an initial period of stabilization with age-appropriate doses of oral glucocorticoids or high-dose ICS and short-acting beta-2 agonists (SABA), caretakers can stop treatment once there are no longer signs or symptoms of asthma. When asthmatic symptoms recur, treatment should be restarted with ICS and SABA, or oral corticosteroids if the exacerbation is severe. The perception of developing asthma symptoms remains an unsolved problem. Based on our clinical experience in children and adolescents with asthma, we list a number of signs and symptoms that precede an exacerbation of asthma, allowing for an early re-introduction of treatment to prevent an exacerbation. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2009; 44:205,208. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Effects of folic acid on preschool children's appetite: Randomized triple-blind clinical trial

PEDIATRICS INTERNATIONAL, Issue 5 2007
NIKTA HATAMIZADEH
Abstract Background: In recent years some Iranian pediatricians have used folic acid empirically as an appetite-enhancing drug in poor-appetite, low-weight children. Many parents have expressed their satisfaction with this treatment but until now no study has been done to confirm or exclude folic acid as an appetite enhancer. Methods: In order to determine if complementary folic acid has any effect on preschool children's appetite, 61 3,5-year-old children (27 girls and 34 boys) whose weight/age and weight/height ratios were below the 25 centile and whose parents regarded them as having poor appetite were randomly assigned to receive either folic acid (1 mg/day) or placebo for 20 days. The primary outcome measures were any appetite changes during and 1 month after the end of the intervention, measured by means of a questionnaire completed by parents on the 20th and 60th days. Secondary measures were mean weight gain on the 30th and 60th days. Results: Children who received folic supplement had a significantly better appetite on the 20th day than those who received placebo (mean difference of appetite score: 1.7; 95% confidence interval: 0.1,3.4; P = 0.04) and significantly more children receiving folic acid were reported to have increased appetite than the placebo group (P = 0.03). But 40 days after the end of the intervention there was no difference between the two groups. Weight gain did not significantly differ between groups. Conclusions: Although folic acid appears to improve preschool children's appetite, further study is necessary to determine whether it has any effect on growth as an adjunctive to management protocols of low appetite for undernourished children. [source]


Parental communication and children's behaviour following diagnosis of childhood leukaemia

PSYCHO-ONCOLOGY, Issue 4 2005
Sally-Ann Clarke
Many parents find decisions about what to tell their child with cancer difficult. Open communication is generally considered the best policy and most health care professionals encourage parents to talk openly and honestly about the illness. However, parents differ in their views about what to tell the child. In this study 55 parents of children (36 boys and 19 girls, mean age = 7.33 years) newly diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) were interviewed about (i) the child's reactions and behaviour following diagnosis, (ii) their views about what to tell their child and (iii) factors influencing parents' communication with the child. Interviews were analysed using thematic analysis. Most children showed behavioural and mood difficulties after diagnosis. Older children were given more information. In addition, parents' perceptions of childhood cancer affect the way they communicate with their child. These findings may be used to inform training packages in order to facilitate improved communication amongst health professionals. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Towards Establishing School Social Work in Malaysia

ASIAN SOCIAL WORK AND POLICY REVIEW, Issue 3 2009
Zulkarnain A. Hatta
This paper calls for the introduction of school social work in Malaysia. Many industrialized countries have introduced school social work, partly because teachers are not able to tackle students' personal and social problems. Teachers are burdened with teaching tasks and are not trained to handle social problems. The introduction of school social work in these developed countries was an admission that there was only so much teachers could do in addressing the problems of school children. Even with school counselors, the problems have not decreased. Many parents in Malaysia perceive schools to be incapable of providing sufficient education to excel in the major exams. The existence of many private tuition institutions and private teachers is a testimony to that perception. If society has already deemed these teachers to be incapable of providing quality education, to expect them to look after students' social problems is presumptuous on society's part. The need for school personnel who understand the social ills of the community is urgently needed, and it is the contention of this paper that school social workers are best equipped for that responsibility. [source]


Costs of caring for a child with cancer: a questionnaire survey

CHILD: CARE, HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT, Issue 4 2007
C. Eiser
Abstract Background Current therapies for childhood cancer have resulted in improved survival rates. However, this has been achieved at considerable price to families, with financial costs including additional expenditure and loss of earnings having been described. The impact of these extra costs for UK families and the extent to which help from charities and government benefits is able to alleviate this is unknown. Methods Questionnaires concerning income, expenditure, employment and financial support were completed by 145 parents, recruited from three United Kingdom Children's Cancer Study Group treatment centres. Results Parents' responses highlighted increased expenditure related mainly to travel to treatment centres. The majority of families (55%) had spent between £50,100 in the past week over and above pre-illness expenditure, with a further 18% spending more than £100. Many parents (mainly mothers) had either given up or reduced outside employment in order to care for their child and this was associated with further financial problems for 42.7% of families. Despite help from charities and government benefits for the majority of families, extra costs were associated with money worries for 68.3% of families. Conclusions Although families are offered timely information about their entitlement to benefits, financial problems are incurred by families of a child with cancer partly because legislation prevents benefits being claimed for the first 3 months of a child's illness , the time when expenses are still at their highest. Furthermore, because benefits are backdated only to the point at which the claim was made, families do not recoup all their costs. Waiving of the 84-day wait period for children undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and the introduction of weekly bridging payments while a Disability Living Allowance claim is being assessed, would ameliorate this problem and so improve the treatment experience for families. [source]


School breakfast clubs, children and family support,

CHILDREN & SOCIETY, Issue 2 2003
Ian Shemilt
School breakfast clubs are a form of before school provision serving breakfast to children who arrive early. This paper explores their potential to provide support for families at risk of social exclusion. A national evaluation of a Department of Health pilot initiative suggests that their provision can afford valued support to families coping with varying degrees of difficulty in their material, environmental, relational and social circumstances. Many parents regarded clubs as successful in encouraging children to eat breakfast, reducing pressures in the morning and providing an additional source of affordable, trusted child care to those in work, studying or seeking employment. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Mental Health Problems in Young People with Intellectual Disabilities: The Impact on Parents

JOURNAL OF APPLIED RESEARCH IN INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES, Issue 5 2008
Hannah Faust
Background, Young people with intellectual disabilities seem to be at increased risk of developing mental health problems. The present study set out to examine the impact such difficulties can have on parents. Method, Semi-structured in-depth interviews were carried out with 13 parents and one adult sibling of 11 young people with intellectual disabilities and additional mental health problems. Results, Parents described far reaching negative consequences of the young person's mental health problems. In many parents these re-evoked intense past feelings of grief and triggered feelings of helplessness and despair. Conclusions, Parents' experiences appear to be characterized by confusion, loss and hardship. Services do not seem to be attuned to the high level of emotional and practical needs of these parents. [source]


The Disclosure Process and its Impact on South Asian Families with a Child with Severe Intellectual Disabilities

JOURNAL OF APPLIED RESEARCH IN INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES, Issue 3 2003
Chris Hatton
Background, Although several research studies have investigated parental experiences of the disclosure process in White families with a child with severe disabilities, little work has focused on the experiences of South Asian families. Materials and methods, This study aimed to provide a rich picture of the disclosure experiences of South Asian parents of a child with severe intellectual disabilities, using semi-structured qualitative interviews with 26 parents over two time points, and structured quantitative interviews with 136 parents. Results, Parents reported variable experiences of the disclosure process, with many parents experiencing disclosure in the wrong language for them and most parents reporting little post-disclosure support. Parents identified good practice in disclosure as prompt disclosure in the appropriate language, with the partner present (where possible), with emotional support as part of the process, with clear and practical information, and linked to post-disclosure support from a keyworker. Conclusions, Good practice in disclosure was also associated with parental understanding of their child, and parents being more likely to mobilize informal and formal supports. The implications of these findings are discussed. [source]


Attitudes towards Sexuality, Sterilization and Parenting Rights of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities

JOURNAL OF APPLIED RESEARCH IN INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES, Issue 4 2002
M. Aunos
Background and Methods We review articles pertaining to attitudes towards sexuality, sterilization, procreation and parenting by people with intellectual disabilities. Most empirical studies were conducted after the appearance of the principles of normalization and role valorization in the 1970s. Results Across studies, special education teachers and university students appear to hold more positive attitudes towards sexuality and sexuality education programs than parents and service workers. People with intellectual disabilities have conservative attitudes towards sexual intercourse and homosexuality, but may be accepting intimate contact by familiar persons. Despite the ban on involuntary sterilization, it appears that many parents and teachers of persons with intellectual disabilities still support it as a form of contraception, especially for persons with severe intellectual disabilities. Likewise, attitudes towards parenting by persons with intellectual disabilities remain negative, and these attitudes may adversely affect the provision of competency-enhancing supports and services for parents with intellectual disabilities and their children. Conclusions It is recommended that new studies should be undertaken, comparing attitudes across different groups involved with persons with intellectual disabilities and examining the impact of prejudicial attitudes on sexual expression and parenting by persons with intellectual disabilities. [source]


Renal transplantation in children: Psychological and donation-related aspects from the parental perspective

PEDIATRIC TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 4 2000
Helena M. E. Kärrfelt
Abstract: Parent(s) accompanying their 18 children to the annual medical follow-up after renal transplantation were interviewed by a child psychiatric social worker. Thirteen of the children had received their grafts from one of their parents, two from other relatives, and three from cadaveric donors. The aims of this interview were to study the decision-making process regarding donation, and the consequences, reflections, and psychological reactions from the parental perspective. Although most parents reported improved psychosocial functioning of the family, many parents also reported significant psychological distress, in many cases complicated by unemployment related to the care of the child. Most parent donors reported that the relationship with their child had improved. For most parents, the decision about the donation seemed to have been a matter of course. However, the process may have induced suffering in those parents who had felt obliged to donate. Thus, questions regarding donation must be approached in a professional and non-judgmental manner when parents are informed about the preconditions of transplantation. The present results indicate a need of psychosocial support for all families during the transplantation process. Therefore, a psychologist and a social worker have been included in the pediatric nephrology team at our unit. The donors also require further information concerning the operative details as well as in regard to the post-operative pain. [source]


Parents' Perspectives on Talking to Preteenage Children About Sex

PERSPECTIVES ON SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH, Issue 1 2010
Ellen K. Wilson
CONTEXT:Although parent-child communication about sex can significantly affect children's sexual behavior, many parents do not talk to their children about sex. Qualitative research can elucidate parents' attitudes toward and experiences with communicating with their children about sex. METHODS:In 2007, 16 focus groups were conducted with 131 mothers and fathers of children aged 10,12 in three cities in different regions of the United States. Separate groups were conducted for mothers and fathers, and for black, white and Hispanic parents. Content analysis was used to identify core themes and patterns. RESULTS:Parents believed it is important to talk to their children about sex and believed that doing so can be effective, but many had not done so. Primary barriers were parents' perception that their children are too young and not knowing how to talk to their children about the subject. Parents found it easiest to talk to their children about sex if they had a good parent-child relationship, took advantage of opportunities to talk and began having the discussions when their children were very young. Some differences were noted by parents' race, ethnicity, gender and location. CONCLUSIONS:Interventions aimed at encouraging parents to talk to their children about sex should enhance parents' understanding of the stages of children's sexual development and focus on the parents of young children. In addition, interventions should support parents in a range of strategies that complement discussions about sex. [source]


Parental attitude to participating in long-term follow-up studies of their children's health after in utero diagnosis of abnormalities

PRENATAL DIAGNOSIS, Issue 3 2009
Lauren Ramsay
Abstract Objective To determine whether parents might be distressed if approached to take part in long-term follow-up of their children's health and development. Methods A short, closed format anonymous questionnaire seeking parental opinion on being asked about their child's health was offered to attendees for obstetric ultrasound and parents of children attending paediatric cardiology clinics. Results In total, 70% of the 266 respondents were attending for ultrasound and ,30% paediatric cardiology clinics. In total, 66 respondents had children with long-term health problems, 28 with learning difficulties and 61 had previously had an abnormal obstetric ultrasound scan. Greater than 90% of parents were happy to be contacted and asked questions about their children's health and development, regardless of their child's health or their experiences during prenatal ultrasonography. Conclusions Our results provide reassurance to future researchers and ethics committees that studies of children's later health after in utero diagnosis of anomalies are unlikely to prove unacceptable to many parents. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Preserving Family Bonds: Examining Parent Perspectives in the Light of Practice Standards for Out-of-Home Treatment

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF ORTHOPSYCHIATRY, Issue 4 2005
Adjoa D. Robinson PhD
Family participation is a core system of care value that is supported by previous research in medical, child welfare, and mental health settings. However, many parents with children receiving out-of-home mental health treatment experience restrictions on contact. This cross-sectional study examines the experiences of families (N = 102) regarding parent-child contact in relation to examples of national accreditation standards. Results of the national survey found that most respondents (79.4%) reported restrictions on contact, including limits based on behavioral contingencies (65.7%) and point and level systems (52.5%). [source]


The parenting of young people: using newsletters to provide information and support

CHILDREN & SOCIETY, Issue 4 2005
Julie Shepherd
The literature shows that many parents of young people do not have enough information, advice, and support in bringing up their children. This article describes an innovative project, undertaken by the Trust for the Study of Adolescence (TSA), which evaluated the use of newsletters as a form of support for the parents of young people. Following consultation with parents and young people, four newsletters were produced in a ,magazine' style. The newsletters were distributed to over 4000 parents across the UK. An evaluation was undertaken, involving longitudinal interviews with 40 families and over 800 telephone interviews with parents. This showed the newsletters to be an effective form of information and support for the majority of parents. However, the results also highlighted a number of issues to be considered in using newsletters as a parenting intervention, including levels of literacy, English as an additional language, social class, and reaching fathers as well as mothers. [source]