Theory of mind and peer cooperation in two play contexts

We examined the associations between theory of mind (ToM) and peer cooperation among preschoolers in two play contexts. Fifty-eight 3-to-5-year-old children from middle class suburbs of Brisbane, Australia were tested for ToM and observed in same-age and same-gender dyads for peer cooperation. To measure ToM, we administered the 5-step ToM scale. With an implicit false belief task, children's eye gaze responses to indirect action anticipation prompt were assessed. To measure peer cooperation, we used independent and joint play contexts and coded communicative and coordinated behaviours. Performance on the ToM scale, but not implicit false belief, was associated with peer cooperation in the independent play, but not the joint play context. Dyadic data analysis showed that in the independent play context, ToM played a critical role for cooperation, both as an actor and a partner. These results support recommendations for ToM training in early childhood to support children's cooperative behaviours

Effects of Illness Representation, Perceived Quality of Information Provided by the Health-Care Professional, and Perceived Social Support on Depressive Symptoms of the Caregivers of Children with Leukemia

The present study examined the effects of illness representation, perceived quality of information provided by the health-care professional, and perceived social support on the depressive symptoms of the caregivers of children with leukemia. The sample was composed of 71 caregivers of children with leukemia living in Turkey. The obtained data were analyzed by path analysis. The results show that caregivers of children with leukemia experience higher levels of depressive symptoms when they have negative illness representation and lower levels of depressive symptoms when they perceive higher levels of social support. Moreover, they perceive higher social support when they perceive high quality of information provided by health-care professionals. It can be suggested that intervention programs which aim to increase caregivers' social support and change their illness representation in a positive way would be helpful for the caregivers showing depressive symptoms

Psychosocial functioning in children with phenylketonuria: relationships between quality of life and parenting indicators

This study aimed to assess the impact of phenylketonuria (PKU) and its treatment on parent and child health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and to identify the parenting-related correlates of parent and child HRQoL, as well as metabolic control.Eighteen mothers of 2 to 12-year-old children with PKU participated and completed a series of self-report questionnaires including the Phenylketonuria Impact and Treatment Quality of Life Questionnaire (PKU-QOL).Mothers reported that the most significant impact of PKU on HRQoL was in relation to impact of their child's anxiety during blood tests on their own HRQoL, and guilt related to poor adherence to dietary restrictions and supplementation regimens. Higher reported intensity of child emotional and behavioural difficulties and parenting stress were associated with higher scores for PKU symptoms on the PKU-QOL, higher scores for emotional, social and overall impact of PKU, and higher scores for impact of dietary restriction. Where mothers reported greater use of overreactivity as a parenting strategy, children tended to have better lifetime phenylalanine (Phe) levels; however, the overall impact of PKU and the impact of supplement administration on mothers' HRQoL was worse for these families.These findings have implications for a holistic family-centred approach to the care of children with PKU and their families