Father involvement and maternal depressive symptoms in families of children with disabilities or delays

The Inclusion of Fathers in Parent Coaching Interventions for Young Autistic Children: A Systematic Review

Parent-mediated interventions are fundamental in supporting parents of autistic children. In particular, parent coaching has emerged as a key component of such interventions. However, the characteristics of such interventions remain underexplored. Therefore, the current review aimed to synthesise characteristics of parent-coaching interventions for young autistic children (<6 years). Specifically, the review aimed to investigate the extent to which fathers are being included in parent-coaching interventions. A systematic review of the literature was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. A total of 5 studies which met the strict inclusion criteria were included in the final analysis. Studies were summarised regarding participant information, study design, intervention characteristics, dependent variables, study outcomes and social validity findings. Results revealed that only 2 fathers were represented in the included studies, which included 94 parent-child dyads overall. Although limited to two studies, outcomes indicated that parent-coaching can be successfully implemented with fathers. Findings concerning other intervention characteristics are also discussed. Overall, this review highlights the need for more in-depth research into fathers' experiences of parent-coaching interventions and related child outcomes.

The Extent and Predictors of Fathers' Involvement in the Raising of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in the UAE

BACKGROUND

Raising children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has consistently been found to be challenging for parents. However, available studies have mainly focused on mothers, raising questions about fathers' involvement in raising children with ASD. Indeed, fathers' involvement has consistently been reported as fundamental to the development of children with ASD. Thus, it necessitates extensions of Western-dominated literature to novel contexts such as the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The purpose of this study, therefore, was to explore the extent and predictors of fathers' participation in the nurturance of children living with ASD.

METHODS

The survey was completed by 177 fathers raising children with ASD in the UAE and was based on the revised 27-item Fathers' Involvement in Development and Rehabilitation Scale. The Statistical Package for Social Science was used to compute means and perform a multivariate analysis of variance and hierarchical multiple regression.

RESULTS

Fathers' ratings were high on involvement: attitude, support, and participation in training to assist their children with ASD. Also, support and participation in training significantly contributed to the variance in attitude towards children with ASD. Moreover, the place of residence of participants made a significant contribution to the variance in attitude towards children with ASD.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a need for policymakers to capitalize on the gains already made in creating a favorable environment for the development of children with ASD in the UAE. Regular engagement between policymakers and fathers could enhance their engagement in raising their children.

Fathers as Key Figures Shaping the Foundations of Early Childhood Development: An Exploratory Longitudinal Study on Web-Based Intervention

Background/Objectives: Early childhood development is profoundly influenced by parent-child interactions, with recent research emphasizing the crucial role fathers play alongside mothers. Paternal involvement, especially in caregiving activities like feeding, positively impacts children's cognitive, emotional, and social development. However, paternal depressive symptoms can hinder the quality of these interactions, potentially leading to long-term behavioral and emotional difficulties in children. Despite this, interventions to enhance caregiving quality that target fathers remain limited. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a web-based video feedback intervention in improving father-child feeding interactions and reducing psychopathological symptoms in both fathers and their 12- to 24-month-old children. Methods: A longitudinal study was conducted with 244 fathers and their young children. Participants were assessed at two time points (T1 and T2) four weeks apart. Fathers engaged in remote one-hour intervention sessions twice a week, based on the Video Intervention Therapy (VIT) approach. The Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R) assessed the fathers' psychopathological symptoms, while the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL 1½-5) evaluated the children's emotional and behavioral functioning. Father-child feeding interactions were video-recorded and analyzed using the Scala di Valutazione delle Interazioni Alimentari (SVIA). Results: Post-intervention analyses showed significant improvements in father-child feeding interactions, with reductions in maladaptive behaviors and interactive conflicts. Fathers exhibited significant decreases in psychopathological symptoms, particularly in depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive tendencies. Children demonstrated significant reductions in internalizing and externalizing problems. Conclusions: The web-based video feedback intervention effectively enhanced the quality of father-child feeding interactions and reduced psychopathological symptoms in both fathers and children. These findings highlight the importance of supporting fathers in their caregiving roles to promote positive developmental outcomes during critical early childhood periods. Further research is warranted to explore the long-term effects of such interventions and their applicability across diverse populations.

Participation of fathers and siblings in home rehabilitation programmes for children with neuro-developmental delay: a scoping review

BACKGROUND

The role of, and impact on, mothers caring for children with neuro-developmental delay (NDD) is well documented. However, the role of fathers and siblings in families of children with NDD remains significantly understudied, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). There has been an increased call for holistic rehabilitation of children with NDD at the family level. This study aimed to explore the involvement of fathers and siblings in the home rehabilitation programmes of children with NDD.

METHODS

A scoping review was conducted using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Peters et al.'s methodology and reported according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines. Articles were retrieved from PUBMED, ScienceDirect, PsycINFO, SCOPUS, PEDro, and Google Scholar. Reference lists of relevant studies were also manually searched.

RESULTS

Thirty research articles were identified. Father and sibling participation in home-based rehabilitation and caregiving is low in LMICs compared to high-income countries due to economic factors and cultural beliefs. Reduced participation stresses mothers and reduces developmental outcomes in children with NDD.

CONCLUSIONS

This review highlights the need for rehabilitation professionals to encourage father and sibling participation in caregiving for children with NDD in home rehabilitation programmes.

Fatherhood in disability rehabilitation in the United Arab Emirates: Exploring fathers' involvement in raising children with disabilities

BACKGROUND

The first agent of socialisation is the family, who are expected to facilitate the inclusion of children in societal activities. While mothers' voices have been widely captured in the literature regarding their experiences raising children with disabilities, fathers' perceptions of their knowledge of and involvement in the development of children with disabilities have been understudied, particularly in non-Western contexts.

AIM

The main aim of this study was to examine fathers' perceptions of their involvement in raising children with disabilities in the United Arab Emirates.

METHODS AND PROCEDURES

In total, 469 fathers were recruited to understand their involvement in raising their children with disabilities. The Fathers' Involvement in Development and Rehabilitation Scale was used to collect data, which were analysed using SPSS and AMOS.

OUTCOMES AND RESULTS

The results showed that fathers rated themselves highly for their attitudes, support, and participation in training to support their children with disabilities. Demographic variables, such as nationality and educational qualifications, provided additional insight into their involvement in raising their children with disabilities.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

The study concludes with suggestions for training programmes to change fathers' attitudes towards children with disabilities, as such programmes can enable them to better support their children's development.

Nationwide study of fathers' involvement in the rehabilitation of children with disabilities in the United Arab Emirates

Purpose

Parental involvement is fundamental to the successful inclusion of children with disabilities in social, academic and communities' services. However, very little is known about UAE fathers' involvement in the support, care, and treatment. and facilitation of engagement in the social, academic, and recreational activities of children with disabilities. Importantly, the role of fathers in facilitating children's participations in social services within the community is unknown. The aim of the current study was to learn father's involvement in the life of children with disabilities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Materials and methods

A total of 1027 parents (fathers = 469, and mothers = 558) completed the revised Fathers' Involvement in Development and Rehabilitation Scale, with three sub-scales (support, attitudes, and participation in training). The Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 29 was used to calculate means, t-tests, and moderation analyses.

Results

The mean scores showed high involvement of fathers; fathers rated themselves highly on attitudes and support towards their children with disabilities compared to mothers. Also, parental type (fathers vs mothers) significantly moderated the relationship between the support needs of children and paternal support to children with disabilities.

Conclusion

The study concludes with suggestions for targeted training programmes to enable fathers to better support the development of their children with disabilities.

Evaluating Parents' Concerns, Needs, and Levels of Satisfaction with the Services Provided for ASD Children in Saudi Arabia

Background

Supporting children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their parents is vital in improving their children's abilities and their parents' ability to care for them. Thus, parents' perceptions of and levels of satisfaction with the services provided for their children must be assessed.

Aim

This study aimed to understand parents' perceptions of and satisfaction with the speech-language services (SLS) provided for ASD children in different health facilities in Saudi Arabia.

Methods

This cross-sectional study included 109 parents of ASD children. The survey included five sections dealing with (1) general information about the child; (2) assessment of the child's ASD characteristics (including their age when diagnosed, when they first noticed symptoms, and their speech, language, and communication abilities); (3) the reasons for enrollment in SLS sessions; (4) questions about SLS; and (5) parents' perceptions of SLS, satisfaction with the service, descriptions of their children's progress, and the respect and support they received.

Results

Parents' satisfaction levels were significantly higher when they had easy access to SLS, sufficient information and support, proper training in applying therapy exercises at home, and perceived respect and support from speech and language pathologists (SLPs). The reasons for discontinuing SLS included high session costs, the need for initial behavioral sessions, the lack of qualified SLPs, the end of the sessions, the lack of improvement, the nonavailability of specialized centers, and parents' dependence on home training only. They also sought opportunities for work and education, continuous and intensive SLS sessions, reduced costs, centers for adults with ASD, and accessible schools. Parents' main concerns were their children's poor speech and language skills, independence, and social acceptance.

Conclusion and Implications

The study highlighted the importance of understanding parents' experiences with SLS, identifying the factors that enhance SLS use by ASD children, and improving parents' satisfaction with such services.

Handbooks and health interpreters: How men are assets for their pregnant partners in Senegal

INTRODUCTION

Global health researchers often approach fatherhood initiatives from a deficit-based perspective, assuming men need sensitization, education, or correction. Senegalese men, which some global health and development organizations have determined to be uninvolved, are part of a team of prenatal and postpartum support called the "entourage" and have a very specific role to play as ad hoc health interpreters.

METHODS

The findings of this article come from 12 months of ethnographic research in Dakar, Senegal in 2018. In addition to participant-observation in three maternity wards across the city, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 32 pregnant women, 27 expectant fathers, and numerous family members, midwives, physicians, and governmental and nongovernmental organization employees. Data were coded and evaluated using thematic analysis.

RESULTS

In Senegal, the Handbook of Mother and Child Health is distributed in state-funded maternity wards. The Handbook outlines what pregnant women should know about pregnancy and how to appropriately engage with clinical services. Male partners of pregnant women commonly read the book for and to their pregnant partners. Men are placed in the unique position of intermediary between pregnant women and the State and as such, they learn a lot about pregnancy and childbirth, as well as prenatal and postpartum care.

CONCLUSIONS

Our ethnographic insights challenge global health rhetoric that frames men as uninvolved in women and children's health and this study demonstrates that future interventions should take an asset-based approach to men's involvement. Senegalese men are uniquely positioned by gendered expectations to act as health interpreters for their pregnant partners. We conclude with specific, actionable recommendations for the Senegalese case.

Father involvement, couple relationship quality, and maternal Postpartum Depression: the role of ethnicity among low-income families

OBJECTIVES

Maternal postpartum depression (PPD) has been recognized as a serious and wide-spread mental health disorder that has long-term negative impacts on children's cognitive, social, and emotional development. This study extends prior research by examining the associations among predictors of PPD, including two different facets of father involvement and couple relationship quality, with a focus on testing these pathways across ethnic groups.

METHOD

This study analyzed data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study (FFCWS) including mothers' baseline interviews and one-year follow-up data sets (n = 2,794). Several models were tested using bootstrapping in structural equation modeling to explore the mediating paths and ethnic differences.

RESULTS

This study found that father involvement in sharing childcare responsibility had direct effects on reducing mothers' parenting stress and promoted maternal psychological adjustment, which was consistent across the three ethnic groups. The mediation pathways through couple relationship quality between father involvement (both father involvement in direct infant care and shared responsibilities) and PPD were detected significant for Black and white mothers.

CONCLUSIONS FOR PRACTICE

This study provided empirical evidence that father involvement in infant care is critical for mothers' perceived relationship quality. Maternal postpartum mental health may benefit from interventions and policies that encourage positive father engagement in infant care.

Fathers' Involvement in Rearing Children With Profound Intellectual and Multiple Disabilities

The aim of this study was to explore father's involvement in rearing a child with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities (PIMD). In-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven fathers in Japan, and the data were analyzed using a qualitative inductive method. The relationship between the parents, in the context of childrearing, influenced father's involvement with their child with PIMD. Fathers improved their self-confidence in childrearing by discussing and sharing about their child's conditions and caregiving approaches with their spouse. Moreover, fathers' experience of being acknowledged and entrusted by their spouse with childrearing motivated and enhanced their involvement. On the contrary, fathers struggled with concerns regarding their family's future, the balance between childrearing and work, and their own health status. The current findings contribute to nurses' understanding of father's involvement in childrearing a child with PIMD and the development of support focusing on the parental dyadic relationship and coparenting behavior.

Developmental disabilities across the world: A scientometric review from 1936 to 2020

BACKGROUND

Developmental disabilities have been largely studied in the past years. Their etiological mechanisms have been underpinned to the interactions between genetic and environmental factors. These factors show variability across the world. Thus, it is important to understand where the set of knowledge obtained on developmental disabilities originates from and whether it is generalizable to low- and middle-income countries.

AIMS

This study aims to understand the origins of the available literature on developmental disabilities, keeping a focus on parenting, and identify the main trend of research.

METHODS AND PROCEDURE

A sample of 11,315 publications from 1936 to 2020 were collected from Scopus and a graphical country analysis was conducted. Furthermore, a qualitative approach enabled the clustering of references by keywords into four main areas: "Expression of the disorder", "Physiological Factors", "How it is studied" and "Environmental factors". For each area, a document co-citation analysis (DCA) on CiteSpace software was performed.

OUTCOMES AND RESULTS

Results highlight the leading role of North America in the study of developmental disabilities. Trends in the literature and the documents' scientific relevance are discussed in details.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

Results demand for investigation in different socio-economical settings to generalize our knowledge. What this paper adds? The current paper tries to provide insight into the origins of the literature on developmental disabilities with a focus on parenting, together with an analysis of the trends of research in the field. The paper consisted of a multi-disciplinary and multi-method review. In fact, the review tried to integrate the analysis of the relation between developmental disabilities with a closer look at the scientific contributions to the field across the world. Specifically, the paper integrates a total of 11,315 papers published on almost a century of research (from 1936 to 2020). An initial qualitative analysis on keywords was combined to a subsequent quantitative approach in order to maximize the comprehension of the impact of almost a century of scientific contributions. Specifically, documents were studied with temporal and structural metrics on a scientometric approach. This allowed the exploration of patterns within the literature available on Scopus in a quantitative way. This method not only assessed the importance of single documents within the network. As a matter of fact, the document co-citation analysis used on CiteSpace software provided insight into the relations existing between multiple documents in the field of research. As a result, the leading role of North America in the literature of developmental disabilities and parenting emerged. This was accompanied by the review of the main trends of research within the existing literature.

Father-Child Interactions in Preschool Children with ASD: A Systematic Review

Studies on parental interaction in the context of ASD has mainly focused on mothers, even if fathers and their children seem to form close and supportive relationships that may have unique effects on child development. Given the impact of ASD symptoms on a child's ability to interact with significant others, recent findings strengthen the importance of including caregivers during treatment to guarantee a better adaptation to the child's impairments. Despite this, fathers are scarcely involved, and interventions seem to not be tailored to their interactive characteristics and needs. For this reason, a systematic review was conducted to investigate fathers and children with ASD behaviors during interaction. This review found 12 observational studies that identified social, cognitive, and affective interactive modalities in father-child dyads through three psychology-focused journal databases: PubMed, PsycINFO and Scopus. The significant variation in both sample size and in the measures used to assess dyadic outcomes limits the ability of this work to make robust recommendations for intervention. Despite this, the results revealed characteristic behaviors of this dyad that consequently allow specific targets to be worked on during intervention. In fact, from fathers' individual strengths and weaknesses, it is possible to implement interventions that are complementary with maternal characteristics from the perspective of personalized and optimized treatment.

Paternal Support and Involvement in Unmarried Fragile Families: Impacts on Long-Term Maternal Mental Health

Fragile families are defined as those that include unmarried or romantically unstable parents who have children and are socioeconomically disadvantaged. Mothers in fragile families may experience risk factors that lead to increased depressive symptoms that inhibit their ability to bounce back after stressful events. Risk factors for poorer maternal mental health may include declines in father involvement and a lack of coparenting support. This study examined the connected nature of coparenting and father involvement over time among continuously unmarried mothers from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study. A bidirectional latent growth curve analysis demonstrated that early father involvement was associated with a more gradual decline in coparenting support over the child's first 5 years, while early coparenting support also predicted a slower decline in father involvement over time. Steeper declines in coparenting support and father involvement over time were linked with more maternal depression and lower maternal life satisfaction when their child was nine. Results demonstrate a clear need for targeted intervention with both parents in fragile families to promote involved fathering behavior and enhance coparental relationships.

The Caregiver Health Effects of Caring for Young Children with Developmental Disabilities: A Meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

Mothers of school age and older children with developmental disabilities experience poorer health than mothers of typically developing children. This review assesses the evidence for the effect on mothers' health of caring for young children with developmental disabilities, and the influence of different disability diagnoses and socioeconomic status.

METHODS

Medline, EMBASE, PsycINFO and CINAHL were searched. Studies measuring at least one symptom, using a quantitative scale, in mothers of preschool children (0-5 years) with and without a diagnosed developmental disability were selected. Random effects meta-analysis was performed, and predictive intervals reported due to high expected heterogeneity.

RESULTS

The meta-analysis included 23 estimates of association from 14 retrospective studies for the outcomes of stress (n = 11), depressive symptoms (n = 9), general health (n = 2) and fatigue (n = 1). Caring for a child with a developmental disability was associated with greater ill health (standardised mean difference 0.87; 95% predictive interval - 0.47, 2.22). The largest association was for mixed developmental disabilities (1.36; - 0.64, 3.36) and smallest for Down syndrome (0.38; - 2.17, 2.92). There was insufficient socioeconomic information to perform subgroup analysis. The small number of studies and data heterogeneity limited the precision of the estimates of association and generalizability of the findings.

CONCLUSIONS FOR PRACTICE

Mothers of young children with developmental disabilities may have poorer health than those with typically developing children. Research is needed to identify whether the relationship is causal and, if so, interventions that could reduce the negative effect of caregiving.

Chinese fathers of children with intellectual disabilities: their perceptions of the child, family functioning, and their own needs for emotional support

As more and more evidence accrues in support of family-centered approaches to disability services, parents' experiences raising children with disabilities is receiving increasing attention internationally. The literature on parents of children with disabilities, however-whether intellectual disability (ID) or other chronic health conditions (OCHC)-tends to focus on mothers as the primary research subject. To address the paucity of research focused on fathers' experiences of raising a child with disabilities, I surveyed over 4500 fathers of children with disabilities in Mainland China. The surveys focused on fathers' perceptions of their children, their perceptions of family functioning, and their perceptions of their own needs for emotional support. Results derived from statistical analyses of the data suggest that fathers tend to believe their children with ID are harder to raise than other children, and that they more often do things that irritate them and make them feel angry. Fathers of children with ID also tend to perceive their family functioning as somewhat problematic. Generally, these fathers are disinclined to seek emotional support from outside their families, although fathers from the majority Han population and fathers who have greater than high school education are more likely to seek support than are fathers from minority ethnic groups and fathers with lower educational background. Comparisons are made with fathers of children with OCHC. Implications of the findings are identified and lines of further research suggested.

Parent couples' participation in speech-language therapy for school-age children with autism spectrum disorder in the United States

This study examined parent couples' participation in and satisfaction with speech-language therapy for school-age children with autism spectrum disorder in the United States. Responses from 40 father-mother couples (n = 80 parents) were examined across therapy components (i.e. parent-therapist communication, assessment, planning, and intervention). Descriptive frequencies, chi-square tests, intraclass correlations, and dyadic multilevel modeling were used to examine participation across fathers and mothers and within parent couples. Compared to mothers, fathers communicated less with therapists and participated less in assessment and planning. Fathers also had lower satisfaction than mothers with parent-therapist communication and planning. Although few parents participated in school-based therapy sessions, 40% of fathers and 50% of mothers participated in homework. However, few parents received homework support from therapists. Results are discussed in terms of clinical implications for interventionists to more effectively engage both fathers and mothers in family-centered speech-language therapy for school-aged children with autism spectrum disorder.

Assessing the impacts of an interdisciplinary programme supporting father involvement on professionals' practices with fathers: A qualitative study

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

The study aimed to assess the impacts of the Father-Friendly Initiative within Families (FFIF) programme, an interdisciplinary programme supporting father involvement, on health professionals' practices with fathers.

BACKGROUND

It is increasingly recognised that father involvement benefits children's cognitive and social development and contributes to both parents' well-being. Recent research has shown health professionals' support to be a protective factor in father involvement. Research results were translated into practice through the implementation of a programme, the FFIF, aimed at empowering health professionals to support father involvement.

DESIGN

The study employed a qualitative impact assessment approach based on semi-structured interviews with 36 health professionals to assess the impacts of the FFIF on professionals' practices with fathers.

METHODS

A total of 36 health professionals were interviewed (13 nurses, 10 social workers, six community workers, three educators, two psychoeducators, one health manager, and one special education teacher). Interviews were transcribed, and a qualitative thematic analysis was carried out. This study is presented in line with COREQ's checklist.

RESULTS

Impacts of the FFIF on health professionals were seen in changes on three fronts: (a1) their beliefs; (b) their conception of their role; and (c) their interventions. These changes related to three themes: (a) difficulties experienced by fathers; (b) importance of father involvement; and (c) differences between fathers and mothers. The professionals, having realised the importance of their own role in improving the services offered to fathers, made concrete changes in their interventions, such as reaching out to fathers more effectively, encouraging their participation and treating them fairly and equitably.

CONCLUSIONS

After attending this interdisciplinary programme supporting father involvement, participating professionals adopted father-friendly beliefs, redefined their conception of their role and modified their interventions.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

To provide family-centred care, nurses and other health professionals need to adopt father-inclusive practices.

Mothers' Perspectives on Managing the Developmental Delay of a Child With Considerations for Contextual Influences and Maternal Functioning

Developmental delay in very young children is trending upward. Maternal depressive symptoms are known to negatively impact child development and may also impact family management of the child's condition. Research on family management guided this second phase of a sequential mixed methods study. The purpose of this study was to explore mothers' perceptions of family management of their children's developmental delays. Mothers of very young children who received early intervention services were interviewed. A team-based content analysis approach revealed key findings: (a) views of the child that were not holistic, (b) condition management ability was informed by what the mother thought her child needed, (c) views of condition impact were related to adapting to possible child outcomes and experiences of isolation, and (d) parental/caregiver mutuality was impaired by conflict. Understanding perceptions of family management and influence of depressive symptoms in this context is essential to extend assessment and intervention.

Influence of full mouth rehabilitation on oral health-related quality of life among disabled children

The efficacy of full mouth rehabilitation (FMR) on oral health-related quality of life of physically disabled children was assessed. This prospective study was performed at Dental Department of Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Humanitarian City, Riyadh, and King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, during May 2012 to September 2014. A total of 186 physically disabled children aged 11-14 years were assigned to a test group (n = 97) or a control group (n = 89). FMR was applied for test group children at baseline and 3 months' visits, whereas those in the control group did not receive FMR. Both group children received dental kits and oral hygiene instructions. Children were asked to complete the Child Perceptions Questionnaire, whereas Parental-Caregiver Perceptions Questionnaire and Family Distress Domain questionnaire were completed by the parents/caregivers at baseline and 6 months' visits. Children in both groups showed positive trends in oral symptoms at 6 months compared with those at baseline. However, when they were compared to control, significant improvement in oral symptoms was observed in the test group at 6 months' visit (p < .05). Also when they were compared to control, significant improvements were observed in the functional limitation, emotional, and social well-being subscales of the Child Perceptions Questionnaire and on the Parental-Caregiver Perceptions Questionnaire scales at the end of the study (p < .05). Compared to the parents/caregivers of the control children, the parents/caregivers of the test-group children reported insignificant but positive trends in Family Distress Domain at the end of the study (p < .05). FMR in children reduced oral-related problems subsequently to a better oral health-related quality of life.

Parents of Children With Food Allergy: Gender Differences in Perceived Impact and Perceived Food Allergy Severity

Objective

To compare fathers' and mothers' perceptions of the impact and severity of their child's food allergy and their levels of involvement in allergy-related care.

Methods

One hundred parents of children with food allergy (50 mother-father pairs) rated the severity of their child's food allergies and completed the Food Allergy Impact Scale. A subset of 52 parents reported how often they engaged in food allergy-related care.

Results

Mothers reported more impact than fathers for meal preparation, family social activities, and stress and free time, and significantly greater involvement in allergy-related care. Fathers who reported more frequent medical appointment attendance perceived meal preparation as being significantly more impacted by food allergy than fathers who were less involved.

Conclusions

Fathers who are less involved may be buffered from experiencing the impact of their child's health condition. Differences in involvement rather than other gender differences may explain discrepancies in mothers' and fathers' illness perceptions.

Maternal depression and child psychopathology among Attendees at a Child Neuropsychiatric Clinic in Abeokuta, Nigeria: a cross sectional study

BACKGROUND

Children with recognized, diagnosable mental and neurological disorders are in addition prone to emotional and behavioral problems which transcend their specific diagnostic labels. In accessing care, these children are almost invariably accompanied by caregivers (usually mothers) who may also have mental health problems, notably depression. The relationship between child and maternal psychopathology has however not been sufficiently researched especially in low and middle income countries.

METHODS

Mothers (n = 100) of children receiving care at the Child and Adolescent Clinic of a Neuropsychiatric Hospital in Abeokuta, Nigeria took part in the study. To each consenting mother was administered a sociodemographic questionnaire and the Patient Health Questionnaire, while information regarding their children (n = 100) was obtained using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Data analysis was done with the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16.

RESULTS

The mean ages of the mothers and children were 40.4 years (SD 4.7) and 11.6 years (SD 4.1), respectively. Among the children, 63 % had a main diagnosis of seizure disorder. Regardless of main diagnosis, 40 % of all the children had a comorbid diagnosis. Among the mothers, 23 % had major depressive disorder. A quarter (25 %) of the children had abnormal total SDQ scores. A diagnosis of major depressive disorder in mothers was associated with poor total SDQ scores and poor scores in all SDQ domains except the emotional domain for the children. Major depressive disorder among the mothers was associated with not being married (p = 0.004; OR = 0.142, 95 % CI 0.037-0.546) and longer duration of the child's illness (p = 0.039, OR = 1.165, 95 % CI 1.007-1.346).

CONCLUSION

The study showed notable rates of depressive illness among mothers of children with neuropsychiatric disorders. Marked rates of emotional and behavioral disorders were also found among the children. Associations were found between maternal and child psychopathology. Mothers of children with neuropsychiatric disorders should be screened for depressive illness.

Stressors and Barriers to Services for Immigrant Fathers Raising Children with Developmental Disabilities

This narrative review examines research on the experiences of immigrant fathers raising children with developmental disabilities, and considers the findings within the Canadian context. Applying Green, Johnson & Adams’ (Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, 5(3), 101–117, 2006) methodology, a step-by-step process was followed to conduct the review. Four databases (PsychINFO, PubMed, CINAHL and Sociological Abstracts) were used for the search. A total of 39 articles were found to be relevant after applying the inclusion/exclusion criteria. Also 20 articles from published reference lists and peer-reviewed journal articles, located through Google Scholar, complimented the initial search. Along with House’s (1981) four dimensions of social support, an intersectional approach underpinned the analysis of findings. Four themes were identified which included: economic challenges, social influences, cultural influences, and the changing gender roles of fathers. Stressors and barriers to accessing health services in the post-migration setting were examined. Based on the review’s findings, the paper recommends 1) addressing income inequality, 2) improving access to health care, social and developmental services, 3) improving cultural-sensitivity of health care, social and developmental services, and 4) increasing participation of fathers. Overall, a more systemic understanding of immigrant fathers’ experiences is called for, taking into account their multiple social locations.