Journal article
Families of Children in Pain: Are Attachment and Sensory Processing Patterns Related to Parent Functioning?
Journal of Child and Family Studies, Vol.30(6), pp.1554-1566
2021
Abstract
Effective parent functioning is a key predictor of functional outcomes for children with persistent pain. It is therefore important to identify factors that support or limit functioning in parents of these children. Child and parent attachment and child sensory processing patterns have been identified as risk-factors for parent functioning in healthy samples. Our study extends current research by examining whether parent and child attachment patterns and child sensory processing patterns are related to parent functioning in families of children with persistent pain. Using a cross-sectional design, data was collected at a tertiary pain management clinic from 98 parent-child dyads (i.e., a child or adolescent with persistent pain and one parent). Standardized questionnaires were used to assess parent and child attachment patterns, child sensory processing patterns, child pain intensity, and eight domains of parent functioning. Regression analyses revealed that parent attachment avoidance was significantly related to poorer overall parent functioning and three functioning domains: depression, partner relationship, and leisure. Child attachment avoidance was related to higher parental strain and the use of fewer protective parenting behaviors. Parent and child attachment anxiety and child sensory processing patterns were not significantly related to parent functioning. Findings suggest that parent and child attachment avoidance warrant further consideration with regards to parent functioning in clinical settings where children present with persistent pain. This may aid in identifying parents who are at-risk of poorer functioning and could guide the use of attachment-informed interventions for families of children with persistent pain. Highlights ● Parent attachment avoidance was related to poorer overall parent functioning, higher levels of depression, poorer leisure functioning, and poorer partner relationship in parents of children with persistent pain.
Details
- Title
- Families of Children in Pain: Are Attachment and Sensory Processing Patterns Related to Parent Functioning?
- Authors
- Lachlan Kerley (Corresponding Author) - University of QueenslandPamela Meredith (Author) - University of QueenslandPaul Harnett (Author) - Griffith UniversityCate Sinclair (Author) - Royal Children's HospitalJenny Strong (Author) - University of Queensland
- Publication details
- Journal of Child and Family Studies, Vol.30(6), pp.1554-1566
- Publisher
- Springer New York LLC
- Date published
- 2021
- DOI
- 10.1007/s10826-021-01966-8
- ISSN
- 1573-2843
- Organisation Unit
- School of Health - Occupational Therapy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Legacy; Cancer Research Cluster
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99568008902621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Web Of Science research areas
- Family Studies
- Psychiatry
- Psychology, Developmental
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Source: InCites