The prevalence of health problems and their association with physical activity in caregivers of children with disabilities: 2018 National Health Interview Survey

Exploring yoga attitudes and social influences among mothers of autistic children through the theory of planned behavior

BACKGROUND

Mothers of autistic children face physiological and psychological health concerns and encounter significant barriers to engaging in health-enhancing behaviors. While yoga may improve physical and emotional well-being in parents with children with disabilities, research on yoga programs designed specifically for mothers of autistic children remains limited. Developing accessible and motivating yoga interventions requires an understanding of attitudes toward yoga within this population.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to explore the attitudes of mothers of autistic children toward yoga and investigate how yoga was perceived within their social environment.

METHODS

The Theory of Planned Behavior guided this descriptive-qualitative study, in which participants were mothers (N = 12) of autistic children aged 3-22 years. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using line-by-line thematic analysis.

RESULTS

Three major themes were constructed: (1) Positive beginnings with yoga; (2) Yoga's impact on holistic well-being; and (3) Influence of social circles on yoga attitudes.

CONCLUSIONS

Mothers expressed positive attitudes towards yoga, influenced by their past experiences and perceived benefits. Yoga was positively regarded within mothers' social networks, which reinforced their attitudes. Despite positive attitudes and supportive subjective norms, most mothers were not actively practicing yoga. This suggests the need to explore potential barriers, which may restrict mothers' participation in yoga.

Frequency of depression and anxiety symptoms among adults with childhood- versus adult-onset disability

BACKGROUND

Individuals with disabilities experience high rates of depression and anxiety. Potential differences between those with childhood- versus adult-onset disability have not been adequately explored.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the relationship between age of disability onset and frequency of reported depression and anxiety symptoms.

DESIGN

Secondary data analysis.

SETTING

2020-2021 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), a nationally representative survey of adults on illness and disability in the United States.

PARTICIPANTS

NHIS respondents aged 22-80 years with mobility, cognitive, or mobility + cognitive disability (n = 6386).

INTERVENTIONS

Age of disability onset (childhood onset, defined as onset before age 22, per NHIS question, vs. adult onset) was our independent variable.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

We calculated frequency of reported current depression and anxiety symptoms among those with childhood- versus adult-onset disability. Logistic regression was used to calculate the odds ratios (OR) of frequent versus infrequent depression and anxiety symptoms for childhood- versus adult-onset disability, adjusted for demographic factors.

RESULTS

A higher percentage of participants with childhood- compared to adult-onset disability reported frequent depression symptoms (mobility: 32.7% vs. 21.9%, p < .01; cognitive: 55.6% vs. 44.5%, p < .01; mobility + cognitive: 71.4% vs. 52.8%, p < .01) and anxiety symptoms (mobility: 44.3% vs. 35.5%, p < .01; cognitive: 83.5% vs. 63.1%, p < .01; mobility + cognitive: 82.8% vs. 70.3%, p < .01). Participants with childhood-onset disability had higher adjusted odds of frequent depression symptoms for all disability types (mobility adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.58 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.15-2.16]; cognitive aOR, 1.84 [95% CI, 1.12-3.02]; mobility + cognitive aOR, 2.06 [95% CI, 1.16-3.67]), and frequent anxiety symptoms for cognitive (aOR, 3.28 [95% CI, 1.92-5.60]) and mobility + cognitive disabilities (aOR, 2.01 [95% CI, 1.07-3.75]) compared to those with adult-onset disability.

CONCLUSION

Individuals with childhood-onset disabilities may be at uniquely higher risk for mental health symptoms than their peers with adult-onset disabilities, warranting specific attention to their health care and outcomes.

Disparities in Smoking and Heavy Drinking Behaviors by Disability Status and Age of Disability Onset: Secondary Analysis of National Health Interview Survey Data

OBJECTIVES

People with childhood-onset disabilities are living into adulthood, and the prevalence of smoking and illicit drug use among adults with disabilities is high. We evaluated the relationship between disability status and age of disability onset, current cigarette smoking status, and heavy alcohol drinking.

METHODS

We conducted a secondary data analysis of the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), a US survey on illness and disability. Among 2020 NHIS participants aged 22-80 years (n = 28 225), we compared self-reported prevalence of current cigarette smoking and heavy alcohol drinking among those with and without disabilities and among those with childhood- versus adult-onset disabilities. We used adjusted logistic regression analysis to calculate the adjusted odds ratios (AORs) of current smoking and heavy alcohol drinking based on disability status and age of disability onset.

RESULTS

Compared with adults without disabilities, adults with disabilities were significantly more likely to report current smoking (23.5% vs 11.2%; P < .001) and significantly less likely to report heavy alcohol drinking (5.3% vs 7.4%; P = .001). The prevalence of these behaviors did not vary significantly by age of disability onset. In adjusted logistic regression models, adults with disabilities had significantly higher odds of current smoking (AOR = 1.76; 95% CI, 1.53-2.03) and similar odds of heavy alcohol drinking (AOR = 0.82; 95% CI, 0.65-1.04) compared with adults without disabilities. The odds of these health behaviors did not vary significantly by age of disability onset.

CONCLUSIONS

Adults with disabilities overall may be at high risk for these unhealthy behaviors, particularly smoking, regardless of age of disability onset. Routine screening and cessation counseling related to smoking and unhealthy alcohol use are important for all people with disabilities.

Poor Physical Health in Caregivers of Children with ADHD or ASD and its Association with Health Risk Behaviours: NHIS 2016-2018

BACKGROUND

There is a dearth of evidence regarding physical health problems and health risk behaviours (e.g., drinking, physical inactivity, smoking, and suboptimal sleep behaviour) in caregivers of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or autism spectrum disorder (CCAA). The purposes of the current study were to examine differences in physical health problems between CCAA and caregivers of children without attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disorder (CCWAA) and to explore health risk behaviours associated with those problems.

METHOD

Data from the 2016-2018 National Health Interview Survey were used in the current study. 10 common physical health problems were compared between CCAA and CCWAA by using multivariable logistic regressions. In addition, in order to detect associated health risk behaviours, decision tree analysis was performed for physical health problems in CCAA.

RESULTS

Of the 10 physical health problems, caregivers of children with ADHD showed significantly higher likelihood of experiencing nine (arthritis, asthma, back pain, high cholesterol, diabetes, heart problems, hypertension, neck pain, obesity), compared to CCWAA. Caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) showed significantly higher likelihoods of experiencing two physical health problems compared to CCWAA. The decision tree analysis revealed that age (> 42 years), and suboptimal sleep behaviour (not 7-8 hours), and smoking (current smoker) were the frequent predictors for physical health problems in CCAA.

CONCLUSION

The results of the current study represent an important milestone in further investigating physical health problems in CCAA.

Understanding parental physical activity behaviours in parents of children with disabilities: An expanded theory of planned behaviour approach

BACKGROUND

The purpose of the current study was to examine association between physical activity (PA) of parents of children with developmental disabilities and theory of planned behaviour-related variables.

METHODS

A total of 95 participants completed questionnaires that measured the following variables: PA behaviours, action planning, intention, affective attitude, instrumental attitude. A path analysis was used to examine the associations between the variables.

RESULTS

Among participants, 40% did not meet the PA guideline. PA affective attitude was positively associated with PA intention (β = 0.30, p = .009) and PA action planning (β = .22, p = .03). In turn, both PA intention and PA action planning were associated with moderate-to-vigorous PA in parents of children with developmental disabilities (β = 0.23, p = .008; β = 0.52, p < .001, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Physical activity in parents of children with developmental disabilities were appropriately explained by theory of planned behaviour-related variables.