Qualitative analysis of perceived impacts on childhood food allergy on caregiver mental health and lifestyle

Abrams, Elissa M.; Simons, Elinor; Roos, Leslie E.; Hurst, Kim; Protudjer, Jennifer L. P.

doi:10.1016/j.anai.2020.02.016

Cited by 30 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…In a previous study, mothers with allergic children sought to “live an ordinary family life” 33 and that leaving their children in the care of others was worrisome. 9 At the same time, food allergy management was described as being “overwhelming” without support. 9 During a pandemic, when families are isolating at home, they are without the external support, which creates a tenuous balance of worry and reprieve.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“… 9 At the same time, food allergy management was described as being “overwhelming” without support. 9 During a pandemic, when families are isolating at home, they are without the external support, which creates a tenuous balance of worry and reprieve.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In turn, this may give rise to a sense of control that is not achievable when the food allergic child eats out of home. 9 …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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High anxiety and health-related quality of life in families with children with food allergy during coronavirus disease 2019

Protudjer

Golding

Salisbury

et al. 2021

Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology

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Background Food allergy has a known impact on quality of life (QoL), but this has not been extensively studied during the COVID-19 pandemic. Objective The objective of this mixed methods study was to characterize the levels of anxiety of mothers of food allergic children aged 0-8 years, compared to families without a food allergic child, as well as health-related quality of life (HRQL) amongst food allergic children during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods In a mixed methods study of Canadian mothers of children 0-8 years, food allergic cases and non-allergic controls provided demographic data, and completed age-appropriate anxiety questionnaires between 14-28 April 2020. Cases also provided food allergy-related data, and completed the Food Allergy Quality of Life Questionnaire (FAQLQ). In-depth interviews were subsequently conducted with purposefully-selected cases. Results Of N=580, 5.5% were cases and 94.5% were controls. For mothers with children 0-1.5 years, anxiety levels did not differ between cases and controls. For mothers with children 1.5-8 years, anxiety levels were higher in cases vs. controls (p<0.05). Amongst cases, neither overall nor domain-specific FAQLQ scores differed between age groups (0-3 vs. 4-7 years), even after adjustment for confounding variables, including childcare during the pandemic. Qualitatively, 3 themes were identified: Unexpected challenges of food shopping; Less food-related food anxiety during the pandemic; and Differences/delays in food allergy testing and therapy. Conclusion Mothers with food allergic children reported high anxiety and poor HRQL. Yet, qualitatively, day-to-day food allergy management was better during the pandemic.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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High anxiety and health-related quality of life in families with children with food allergy during coronavirus disease 2019

Protudjer

Golding

Salisbury

et al. 2021

Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology

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“…This loss of control and the need to rely on others highlights the quandaries parents face in social situations when going on holidays, eating out at restaurants, and/or leaving their child in the care of others. 6 , 10 , 19 However, when parents are shunned, labelled a ”helicopter parent” or worse still, not believed, this creates a heightened sense of anxiety and fear and can significantly impact QoL, increase social isolation, and lead to feelings of guilt. 6 , 20 …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…To normalise behaviour around food, parents need to be vigilant, yet guard against inadvertently creating an environment of fear, as this can impact self-confidence in their children and lead to social withdrawal and abnormal eating patterns. 6 , 7 One starting point is to improve health literacy across the community to engender support and awareness as health messages can influence behaviour. 5 , 8 …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Parent perceptions in managing children with food allergy: An Australian perspective

Stockhammer

Katelaris

Simpson

et al. 2020

World Allergy Organization Journal

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Introduction Food allergy affects up to 10% of Australian children, and living with food allergic children can be challenging for parents. This study explored parental perceptions and knowledge as they navigate a new reality of keeping their child safe. Methods Parents of children with food allergies completed an online food allergy survey in 2015. Questions explored health knowledge, skills, and attitudes (KSAs) as well as quality of life (QoL) through the inclusion of the Food Allergy Quality of Life — Parental Burden instrument (FAQL-PB). Notification of the survey included advertisements to more than 700 randomly selected Australia-wide preschools, 44 allergy specialists, and Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia. Responses were tabulated and analysed. Results Of the 400 participants who logged on, 357 commenced the survey and 318 finished. Questionnaire analysis showed that 44.1% of parents (n = 135) hesitated to use an adrenaline auto-injector and may be influenced by a classification system where symptom severity is not universally understood. While 79% would sign up to a national Anaphylaxis Registry, intention to participate in clinical trials using vaccines was disclosed by only 56%. Allergen labelling and community acceptance continue to be the most challenging aspects of managing a food allergy, and 50% of parents reported that food allergy played a role in choosing a preschool or primary school. Overall, quality of life for participants was influenced more by gender (male) and age of the child than where they lived — capital city or regional location; however, regional participants were more frustrated over lack of appreciation relating to the seriousness of food allergy (p = 0.010). Conclusion Results highlight the need for educational strategies for both the food allergy community and public, particularly in regional areas, since there is a perceived lack of appreciation as to the seriousness of food allergy. Educational resources and relevant networks are required to support parents and caregivers in the management of children with food allergy.

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Anxiety

Protudjer

2024

Encyclopedia of Food Allergy

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Qualitative analysis of perceived impacts on childhood food allergy on caregiver mental health and lifestyle

Cited by 30 publications

References 23 publications

High anxiety and health-related quality of life in families with children with food allergy during coronavirus disease 2019

High anxiety and health-related quality of life in families with children with food allergy during coronavirus disease 2019

Parent perceptions in managing children with food allergy: An Australian perspective

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