Factors Associated With Parental Consent to use D-Cycloserine for Child Anxiety

Abstract

This study examined factors influencing parent willingness to use D-Cycloserine (DCS) for treating child anxiety. N = 222 parents were given information about using DCS to treat anxiety. They were then asked to rate their willingness to allow their child to take DCS/antibiotics for mild anxiety, severe anxiety, or an infection. The associations between willingness to use DCS and parental trait anxiety, demographics, as well as specific concerns regarding the medication, were examined. Parents could also provide written responses regarding their attitudes to DCS, which were analysed for themes. Parents reported concerns regarding potential side-effects from DCS. More severe anxiety was associated with more willingness to consent; however, parents were more willing to use antibiotics to treat an infection than DCS to treat their child's anxiety. The degree of perceived benefit from DCS was most strongly associated with parents’ willingness to use it. Overall, parents expressed mixed views, reporting they would consider using DCS to treat their child; however, they had significant concerns about it. Results suggest providing parents with information explaining how DCS works, its risks and potential benefits may increase its acceptability.

Using a mobile health device to monitor physiological stress for serious mental illness: A qualitative analysis of patient and clinician-related acceptability.

“…This is especially the case for the intersection of mental health and eHealth, where privacy, clinical responsibility and therapeutic alliance need to be carefully managed. Poor uptake and adherence to mental health treatment often occur when there are differences in what patients and clinicians expect from treatment (e.g., Byrne et al, 2017; Milosevic et al, 2015). Therefore, codesign and user-centered design are vital for improving eHealth service delivery for young people with SMI (Goodyear & Armor, 2018; Hetrick et al, 2018).…”