A Q-methodology study of parental understandings of infant immunisation : implications for health-care advice.

This study used Q-methodology to explore systematically parental judgements about infant immunisation. A total of 45 parents completed a 31-statement Q-sort. Data were collected after vaccination in general practitioner practices or a private day nursery. Q factor analysis revealed four distinct viewpoints: a duty to immunise based on medical benefits, child-orientated protection based on parental belief, concern and distress and surprise at non-compliance. Additionally, there was a common view among parents that they did not regret immunising their children. Implications of these results are discussed in terms of health-care policy and future research

The Impact of Parenting Styles on Children Developmental Outcome: The Role of Academic Self-Concept as a Mediator

Although the importance of parenting styles directly influencing child development is well established, fewer studied have examined whether parenting styles also affect children’s behavioural problems indirectly, mediated through children’s academic self-concept (ASC). We examined direct and shared effects of parenting styles on behavioural AQ4 problems of 199 Kurdish primary school children with a mean age of 11 years 7 months (range 11; 5 months to 12; 3 months). Questionnaires measured parenting styles (child version of Alabama Parenting Questionnaire), assessed children’s ASC (Myself-As-Learner Scale) and identified children’s behavioural problems (Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire). PROCESS analysis was used to perform the mediation analysis. The results revealed that positive and negative parenting composites are indirectly related to children’s internalising behaviour problems. In addition, ASC partially mediated the relationship between the negative parenting composite and prosocial behaviour. However, the mediation analysis did not show the expected indirect effect of parenting styles on externalising problems as being mediated via ASC. Hence, we argue that the ASC serves as a significant mediator in the relationship between parenting styles with prosocial behaviour and internalising problems

The Effects of Parenting Styles on Behavioral Problems in Primary School Children: A Cross-Cultural Review

This review examines the literature regarding the effects of parenting styles on children’s behavioural problems in different cultures. An initial literature search yielded 941 articles. Subsequent screening of titles and abstracts identified 86 potentially relevant studies. These were stored in full text for additional checks in order to further verify if they corresponded to the purposes of the review. Inclusion criteria yielded 21 studies from the following twelve countries: USA, Canada, UK, Spain, Portugal, Netherlands, Finland, Croatia, Iran, China, Taiwan and Pakistan. Results indicate that parenting styles have an impact on children’s behavioural problems. Specifically, children from parents showing contributory factors such as “involvement with the child”, “monitoring the child” and other positive dimensions tended to have low levels of behaviour problems. Based on the literature review we conclude that this impact of parenting styles may vary across societies. However, a number of methodological limitations were noted which may have contributed towards some inconsistency of the findings. Further cross-cultural research is needed in order to be able to compare the effect of parenting styles more reliably

Association between Hyperemesis Gravidarum in pregnancy on postnatal ability of infants to attend to a play task with their mother

Research indicates a higher prevalence of attention deficits in children exposed to HG in utero compared to controls with some claiming that the deficit is due to prenatal effects of malnutrition in HG mothers and others that it is due to maternal mental health after birth. The current study examines the effect of hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) diagnosis during pregnancy on infant attention controlling for maternal stress, depression anxiety and attachment. Thirty-eight infants mean age 4 months were videotaped with their mothers (19 mothers with a hyperemesis diagnosis and 19 controls) during play with a soft toy and looking at a picture book. Infant attention was operationalized as gaze direction towards the play activity, mother, and ‘distracted’ (indicated by looking away from play or mother). Mothers completed stress, depression, anxiety, and attachment questionnaires. HG exposed infants attended for significantly less time during play with a book or soft toy compared to controls. Maternal stress, depression, anxiety, and attachment did not differ in HG mothers and controls. Infant ability to attend to the toy, book, mother or being distracted did not relate to maternal postnatal attachment, or mental health. These results suggest that the prenatal environment, especially exposure to HG might be associated with reduced infant attention abilities independent of maternal postnatal health

Risk Perception of Cigarette and E-cigarette use during Pregnancy: A Qualitative Postpartum Perspective

Aim: The aim of this exploratory qualitative analysis is to assess the perceptions of risks of cigarette and e-cigarette use during pregnancy. Background: An important public health aim is a reduction of smoking at time of delivery (SATOD) from 10.6% to less than 6% by 2022 in the United Kingdom (UK). In order to successfully meet this target, we need to have a better understanding of the perceived risks associated with cigarette smoking. Additionally, the use of e-cigarettes is increasing in the general population, with pregnant women being supported to use such products if it helps them remain smoke free. However, in contrast to cigarette smoking, there is little definitive research assessing the safety of e-cigarette use during pregnancy, with most information disregarding the health of the growing fetus. E-cigarettes are of special interest, given they are an unlicensed product for use during pregnancy, yet women are being supported to use them as a method of harm reduction. A better understanding of perceived risks is essential. Method: Fourteen interviews were conducted one month postpartum with women who smoked during pregnancy and continued to smoke after the birth. Thematic analysis was conducted. Suzanne Froggatt, Nadja Reissland, Judith Covey 2 Findings: Two themes emerged for cigarette smoking; health and justifications. Six themes were identified for e-cigarette use; the unknown, experience, comparison to cigarettes, the product, advice and healthier option. A range of subthemes are discussed. Conclusion: Women provided a range of justifications for continuing to smoke during pregnancy. Women felt e-cigarettes were a riskier option than continuing to smoke

A Q-methodology study of parental understandings of infant immunisation: Implications for health-care advice

This study used Q-methodology to explore systematically parental judgements about infant immunisation. A total of 45 parents completed a 31-statement Q-sort. Data were collected after vaccination in general practitioner practices or a private day nursery. Q factor analysis revealed four distinct viewpoints: a duty to immunise based on medical benefits, child-orientated protection based on parental belief, concern and distress and surprise at non-compliance. Additionally, there was a common view among parents that they did not regret immunising their children. Implications of these results are discussed in terms of health-care policy and future research

Effects of maternal mental health on prenatal movement profiles in twins and singletons

Aim: Prenatal experiences, including maternal stress, depression and anxiety, form crucial building blocks affecting the maturation of the fetal central nervous system. Previous research has examined fetal movements without considering effects of maternal mental health factors critical for healthy fetal development. The aim of this research is to assess the effects of maternal mental health factors on fetal twin compared with singleton movement profiles. Method: We coded fetal touch and head movements in 56 ultrasound scans, from a prospective opportunity sample of 30 mothers with a healthy pregnancy (mean gestational age 27.8 weeks for singleton and 27.2 for twins). At the ultrasound scan appointment, participants completed questionnaires assessing their stress, depression and anxiety. Results: Maternal depression increased fetal self-touch significantly. In fetal twins maternal stress significantly decreased and maternal depression significantly increased other twin touch. Maternal mental health factors affected the head movements of twins significantly more than singletons, with maternal depression decreasing head movement frequency for twins significantly. Conclusion: These results indicate that maternal mental health might have an impact on types of body schemata formed in utero, in twin compared with singleton pregnancies. Future research needs to examine whether these prenatal effects affect postnatal differences in body awareness