Parental control in different life contexts for paediatric cystic fibrosis patients

Abstract

This study aimed to comprehensively describe parental control strategies (appropriate support, critical control or overprotection) in the distinct living contexts of paediatric cystic fibrosis patients (namely daily routine and peer interaction). Fourteen mothers and two fathers of children with cystic fibrosis participated in the study. Children’s ages ranged from 5 to 12 years old (M=7.00; SD=2.25). Participants answered the Interview on Childrearing Practices and The New Friends Vignettes and provided socio-demographic information concerning the family and clinical details about the child’s illness. Descriptive statistical analyses were performed. Appropriate support was the most frequently reported strategy in both contexts, with 83.9% in daily routine and 44.37% in peer interaction. In the daily routine context, reports of critical control were infrequent (15.68%), especially regarding the treatment for cystic fibrosis. In the peer interaction context, reports of overprotection were more frequent (38.48%) than reports of critical control (17.15%). Parents may be more flexible and responsive to children’s difficulties associated with treatments than to other types of disturbing behaviours in their daily routine, while problems in peer interactions tend to evoke overprotective strategies.