A systematic review of parenting interventions for child chronic health conditions

Abstract

This systematic review summarizes the parenting intervention literature for parents of children with chronic health conditions and evaluates intervention effects on parenting (parenting skills and parenting efficacy) and child (behaviour, illness severity/control and quality of life) outcomes. Systematic searches using seven electronic databases (including CINHAL, MEDLINE and PsycINFO) were used to identify relevant papers published in English between 1997 and 2017, and reference lists were searched for additional relevant articles. Ten papers reporting on eight separate studies met inclusion criteria: three studies evaluated stand-alone parenting interventions, while the remaining five studies included parenting components in broader interventions that also targeted medically oriented aspects of illness management. Results suggest that parenting interventions may lead to improved parent self-efficacy, parenting behaviour, illness severity/control, child quality of life and child behaviour; however, intervention effects were mixed and confined to parent-report outcome measures. A paucity of studies using rigorous randomized controlled trial study designs limits the conclusions that can be drawn regarding intervention efficacy. Achieving adequate enrolment and retention of families in parenting intervention trials appears to be problematic within these clinical groups. Larger samples and more diverse clinical populations will support the reliability of future evaluations of parenting interventions in this context and improve generalizability of results.

Family resources moderate the relationship between seizure control and health‐related quality of life in children with drug‐resistant epilepsy

“…[29][30][31][32] Intervention should be brief and cost-effective so as not to place additional burden on already under-resourced families and could include systemic family therapy (to address family dynamics) and/or behavioral parenting interventions (problem solving, communication, positive parenting, and stress management skills). 33,34 Health professionals within the child's medical team (clinical psychologists or social workers) can also assist families by providing such interventions, identifying existing social supports, referral to community organizations and support groups, and facilitating positive communication between health care providers.…”

Policies Are Needed to Increase the Reach and Impact of Evidence-Based Parenting Supports: A Call for a Population-Based Approach to Supporting Parents, Children, and Families

“…One systematic review (Morawska et al, 2020) has indicated that EBPSs may lead to improved parent selfefficacy, parenting behaviour, illness severity/control, child quality of life and child behaviour; however, intervention effects were mixed and confined to parent-report outcome measures.…”

Self-Care in Pediatric Patients with Chronic Conditions: A Systematic Review of Theoretical Models

“…In this type of family context, CYAs can experience negative health outcomes including stress and poor adjustment, poorer coping skills, and higher hospitalization rates [ 13 , 21 ]. To support these parents, parenting support programs based on preventive psychology could reduce emotional fragility in parents of CYAs with chronic conditions [ 22 , 23 ].…”