The Effect of Happiness Training Based on Fordyce Model on Perceived Stress in the Mothers of Children with Cleft Lip and Palate

Introduction: A child afflicted with facial deformities such as cleft lip and palate usually affects their parents, because of difficulties in nutrition, speech, aesthetics and social connections, and also imposing a lot of stress on them. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a happiness program on the perceived stress in the mothers of children with cleft lip and palate. Methods: This study was a quasi-experimental study in which 64 mothers of children with cleft lip and palate were divided by simple random sampling into intervention and control groups (n=64). The program of happiness training was implemented within 10 sessions and the questionnaires of demographics and Cohen perceived stress were filled out prior to and two months after the last session in intervention group. Data analysis was done using SPSS Ver.13. Results: Independent t-test indicated a significant difference in the perceived stress mean score after training in the intervention and control groups. Also paired t-test indicated a significant difference in perceived stress mean score before and after training in the intervention group, but the difference was not statistically significant for the control group. Conclusion: Considering the effect of happiness program on reducing stress in the mothers of children with cleft lip and palate, it is recommended that this model can be used as an intervention in the maternal care for more involvement in the process of treatment and care of their child, in addition to reduce psychological problems in the parents.

Relationships between behavioral symptoms of non-medicated Chinese children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and parenting stress: Comparison of different subtypes and comorbidities

INTRODUCTION

To identify the characteristics of behavior problems among children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and their relation with parenting stress.

METHODS

The Conners Parent Symptom Questionnaire (PSQ) and Parenting Stress Index (PSI) were used to assess the symptoms and parenting stress of 132 non-medicated children with ADHD as compared with 88 healthy controls.

RESULTS

Every PSQ factor of ADHD children was higher than in the control group; children with the combined subtype of ADHD had the highest scores in conduct and learning problems, impulsivity/hyperactivity, and overall hyperactivity index; the PSI total stress, child domain, and parent domain scores were all higher in the ADHD group than in the control group; children with the combined subtype of ADHD had the highest score in the competence subscale of the parent domain, whereas the PSI total stress score of parents of children with ADHD and comorbid oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) was higher than that of parents of children with only ADHD. The PSI total stress score was positively correlated with all PSQ factor scores. The PSQ factors of conduct problems and learning problems were found to be significant predictors in a regression analysis.

DISCUSSION

The children with ADHD exhibited abnormal parenting stress compared with healthy controls, which was much more pronounced when the children had comorbid ODD. Furthermore, parenting stress was related with the severity of ADHD symptoms, suggesting that children with the combined subtype of ADHD require particular attention in the future.

Stress levels experienced by parents of children with and without attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder during the back-to-school period: results of a European and Canadian survey

OBJECTIVE

The back-to-school stress survey was designed to compare stress in parents of children/ adolescents with/without attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in six European countries and Canada when children prepare to return to school.

METHODS

Parents of children/adolescents (6-17 years) with/without ADHD were recruited and interviewed by a consumer research organization. Parents rated potentially stress-causing situations (both standard and specifically related to the return to school) on a scale from 1 (low stress) to 10 (high stress). Mean scores were compared using Student's t-test.

RESULTS

In Europe, 613/693 (mean [SD] age: 40.7 [7.0]/40.1 [6.9] years) and in Canada, 102/150 (mean [SD] age: 44.4 [8.1]/44.1 [7.2] years) parents of children with/without ADHD, respectively, participated in the survey. Children with ADHD (mean [SD] age: 11.2 [3.2]/12.6 [3.2] years in Europe/Canada) had generally similar characteristics in both samples. Parents in the ADHD group showed higher stress levels than parents in the non-ADHD group in all situations (p < 0.001 for Europe). The return to school was considered one of the most stressful events during the year.

CONCLUSIONS

In Europe and Canada, ADHD has a significant impact on parental stress, particularly during the back-to-school period. This can have important implications as parental stress can affect presentation of ADHD symptoms.

Methylphenidate-osmotic-controlled release oral delivery system treatment reduces parenting stress in parents of children and adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the current study was to investigate the effect of methylphenidate-osmotic release oral delivery system (MPH-OROS) treatment on parenting stress in parents of children and adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

METHODS

Four hundred and ninety-five children and adolescents (391 boys and 104 girls), aged 7 to 18 years who met the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition criteria for ADHD, were recruited at 48 psychiatric outpatient clinics across South Korea. Children's symptoms, parenting stress, and parental depression were assessed at baseline, week 4, and week 8 of MPH-OROS treatment using the Korean version of the DuPaul's ADHD Rating Scale (ARS), the Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI), and the Parenting Stress Index, Short Form (PSI-SF).

RESULTS

We found significantly decreased scores of ARS, parental BDI, and PSI-SF from baseline to week 4 and from week 4 to week 8. Also, there were positive correlations among baseline PSI-SF, ARS, and BDI scores. The changes in BDI and ARS scores were significantly associated with the PSI score changes, accounting for 20.1% and 10.0%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

We suggest that the increased parenting stress and depression in parents of children and adolescents with ADHD can be improved following the treatment with MPH-OROS.