The association between stress and physical health in parents caring for children with intellectual disabilities is moderated by children’s challenging behaviours

Gallagher, Stephen; Whiteley, Jennifer

doi:10.1177/1359105312464672

Cited by 57 publications

(50 citation statements)

References 60 publications

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“…Second, our health behaviours and physical health status was not objectively verified, but previous studies have confirmed the presence of poor physical health in these families (Brehaut et al, 2004;Gallagher & Whiteley, 2013). Third, the number of children in some disability subgroups is small.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 73%

“…Autism, dyspraxia/attention hyperactivity disorder) (George, Shacter, & Johnson, 2011). This is despite the plethora of evidence showing that these caring parents are at greater risk of poor physical, physiological and psychological health than parents of children without disabilities (Cantwell, Muldoon, & Gallagher, 2014;Gallagher & Whiteley, 2013;Miodrag & Hodapp, 2010;Singer, 2006). …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Child problem behaviours are associated with obesity in parents caring for children with developmental disabilities

Gallagher

Hannigan

2015

Research in Developmental Disabilities

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Epidemiological evidence suggests that obesity and depression are highly co-morbid. In a national cohort study, we examined whether parents caring for children with disabilities were more likely to be classified as obese compared to parents of children without disabilities and if obesity was associated with depressive symptoms or child behaviour characteristics. Using data from the Growing Up in Ireland National Longitudinal Study of Children (2006 to date), 627 parents of children with developmental disabilities were compared with 7,941 parents of typically developing children on objectively measured levels of obesity (body mass index ≥30 kg/m 2 ), depression, health behaviors, chronic health conditions, socio-demographic and child behavioural characteristics. Parents of children with disabilities were more likely to be classified as obese compared to control parents (24.5% vs. 19.6%, p=0.005, Cramer's V < 0.1). Depression was not associated with obesity. However, the odds of obesity increased with increasing child problem behaviour (OR 1.05, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.06). Over half (57%) of obese parents caring for children with disabilities reported trying to lose weight often or very often. This study has confirmed, in a population-based sample, the high risk of obesity in parents caring for children with disabilities after adjusting for the presence of depression and other health behaviours; increasing child problem behaviours were predictive of obesity.Importantly, given the negative health correlates of obesity, it is imperative that health professionals pay attention to weight issues in these parents and support their efforts in managing these issues.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 73%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Child problem behaviours are associated with obesity in parents caring for children with developmental disabilities

Gallagher

Hannigan

2015

Research in Developmental Disabilities

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“…We 5-item prosocial subscale was excluded from our analyses in line with previous studies (Gallagher et al, 2009;Gallagher & Whiteley, 2013). Examples of items include "Is restless and cannot stay still for long" and "Is easily distracted, concentration wanders".…”

Section: Child Behavioural Problemsmentioning

confidence: 95%

“…A key source of the negative health outcomes seen in these parents is the challenging behaviour (e.g. selfinjury, conduct problems) that the child displays (Eisenhower, Baker, & Blacher, 2005;Gallagher, Phillips, Drayson, & Carroll, 2009;Gallagher & Whiteley, 2013;Herring et al, 2006). Epidemiological evidence also indicates that depression frequently occurs with chronic medical conditions and that poor physical health is a risk factor for depression (Moussavi et al, 2007).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Together with higher rates of depression and stress, parents caring for children with developmental disabilities also have poorer physical health with greater incidence of back problems, migraine headaches, stomach/intestinal ulcers, asthma, arthritis/rheumatism, high blood pressure being found (Brehaut et al, 2004;Gallagher & Whiteley, 2012, 2013Lovell, Moss, & Wetherell, 2012). A key source of the negative health outcomes seen in these parents is the challenging behaviour (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Depression and chronic health conditions in parents of children with and without developmental disabilities: The growing up in Ireland cohort study

Gallagher

Hannigan

2014

Research in Developmental Disabilities

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Epidemiological evidence suggests that poor physical health and depression are highly co-morbid. To date, however, no study has considered whether depression in parents caring for children with developmental disabilities is partly driven by poor physical health. Using data from the Growing Up in Ireland national cohort study (2006 to date), 627 parents of children with developmental disabilities were compared with 7,941 parents of typically developing children on scores from the Centre for Epidemiological Depression Scale, chronic health conditions, socio-demographic and child behavioural characteristics. Having a child with disabilities was associated with a higher risk of depression (odds ratio (OR) = 1.83, 95% confidence interval (CI):1.43, 2.35) compared to parents of typically developing children. Adjusting for the presence of chronic health conditions accounted for some of this excess risk (OR=1.77, 95% CI: 1.38, 2.27). The association between having a child with disabilities and increased risk of depression was explained, however, by adjusting for the child problem behaviours (OR =1.07, 95% CI: 0.81, 1.43). This study has confirmed, in a population-based sample, the high risk of depression in parents caring for children with developmental disabilities after adjusting for the presence of a chronic health condition. Importantly, given that poor mental health in these parents is associated with a battery of negative health and social family outcomes, it is imperative that health professionals pay attention to the mental health needs of these parents.

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A Meta-Theoretical and Multidimensional Guidance to Understand and Support Parenting in the Context of Child Disability: The Porridge-Like Framework

Fullone

Giusti

Provenzi

2023

Family-Centered Care in Childhood Disability

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The association between stress and physical health in parents caring for children with intellectual disabilities is moderated by children’s challenging behaviours

Cited by 57 publications

References 60 publications

Child problem behaviours are associated with obesity in parents caring for children with developmental disabilities

Child problem behaviours are associated with obesity in parents caring for children with developmental disabilities

Depression and chronic health conditions in parents of children with and without developmental disabilities: The growing up in Ireland cohort study

A Meta-Theoretical and Multidimensional Guidance to Understand and Support Parenting in the Context of Child Disability: The Porridge-Like Framework

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