The moderating role of parental self-efficacy on parental worry and social activity limitation associated with pediatric food allergy.

Abstract

Objective: Research has established associations between parental self-efficacy (SE) related to managing their child’s food allergy (FA) and parent quality of life, but there has been limited examination of how parent variables predict child social outcomes. This study examined whether parental SE related to managing their child’s FA moderates the association between parental worry and activity limitation of the child. Methods: Parents of 218 children with parent-reported FA completed an online survey, which included measures of demographics, child FA characteristics, parental SE, parental worry, and social activity limitation. Participants were recruited locally and nationally through social media, e-mail listservs, and paper flyers in pediatricians’ and allergists’ offices in the region. Results: Linear regression results indicated that parental SE moderated the association between parental worry and limitation of child’s social activities, R2 = .14, F(3, 213) = 8.35, p < .001. Parents with higher SE were less likely to limit their child’s social activities, regardless of worry level, whereas parents with lower SE were more likely to limit child social activities as their reported worry increased. Conclusions: Findings suggest that SE may act as a protective factor against child’s activity limitation and impairment of social quality of life when parents report high levels of worry, suggesting treatment targets for anxious parents of children with parent-reported FA.

Beliefs about food allergies in adolescents aged 11–19 years: A systematic review

“…In family relationships, parental support and conflicts with independence were common in adolescents with FA and despite most participants having a good relationship with their parents, some felt their parents wanted to ‘control their lives’ 25 . This is supported by recent research from McLaughlin, Humiston and Peterson 51 who found that as parental worry increased, so did limitations on children regarding FA‐related social activities. Previous research by Van der Velde et al 52 .…”

“… 53 highlighting the benefit of allergy clinics in supporting parents and McLaughlin et al. 51 suggesting that increasing parent self‐efficacy may help with reducing worry and social restriction of children with FA. Anxiety in adolescents with FA and parents 54 , 55 , as also shown by findings from this review, is a key area for clinicians, which may be supported by appropriate understanding of beliefs.…”

“…Psychological support to manage this time of tension in family relationships may improve adolescent behaviour and family mental health, with Stensgaard et al 53 . highlighting the benefit of allergy clinics in supporting parents and McLaughlin et al 51 . suggesting that increasing parent self‐efficacy may help with reducing worry and social restriction of children with FA.…”

The Development of Age-Based Food Allergy Educational Handouts for Caregivers and Patients: A Work Group Report of the AAAAI Adverse Reactions to Foods Committee

“…9,13,18,23,42 Caregivers experiencing high levels of anxiety about food allergy or low levels of self-efficacy around food allergy management may be more likely to limit the child's role in allergy management and participation in developmentally typical social, family, and school activities, with implications for the child's quality of life, anxiety level, and sense of empowerment. 22,41,[43][44][45] In contrast, "balanced" family coping with food allergy (eg, having sufficient levels of vigilance to sustain allergen avoidance and emergency preparedness, while being able to regulate anxiety and integrate food allergy management into daily life) has been associated with positive quality of life and child involvement in food allergy selfcare. 43 Such findings highlight the need for educational materials that support caregivers in educating children about food allergies and preparing them for self-care in ways that promote balanced coping with food allergy at all stages of child development.…”