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Parental self‐efficacy in managing food allergy and mental health predicts food allergy‐related quality of life
Author(s) -
Knibb Rebecca C.,
Barnes Christopher,
Stalker Carol
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
pediatric allergy and immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.269
H-Index - 89
eISSN - 1399-3038
pISSN - 0905-6157
DOI - 10.1111/pai.12569
Subject(s) - medicine , food allergy , quality of life (healthcare) , allergy , psychological intervention , self efficacy , mental health , environmental health , pediatrics , psychiatry , immunology , psychology , nursing , psychotherapist
Background Food allergy has been shown to have a significant impact on quality of life (QoL) and can be difficult to manage in order to avoid potentially life‐threatening reactions. Parental self‐efficacy (confidence) in managing food allergy for their child might explain variations in QoL. This study aimed to examine whether self‐efficacy in parents of food allergic children was a good predictor of QoL of the family. Methods Parents of children with clinically diagnosed food allergy completed the Food Allergy Self‐Efficacy Scale for Parents ( FASE ‐P), the Food Allergy Quality of Life Parental Burden Scale ( FAQL ‐ PB ), the GHQ ‐12 (to measure mental health) and the Food Allergy Independent Measure ( FAIM ), which measures perceived likelihood of a severe allergic reaction. Results A total of 434 parents took part. Greater parental QoL was significantly related to greater self‐efficacy for food allergy management, better mental health, lower perceived likelihood of a severe reaction, older age in parent and child and fewer number of allergies (all p < 0.05). Food allergy self‐efficacy explained more of the variance in QoL than any other variable and self‐efficacy related to management of social activities and precaution and prevention of an allergic reaction appeared to be the most important aspects. Conclusions Parental self‐efficacy in management of a child's food allergy is important and is associated with better parental QoL. It would be useful to measure self‐efficacy at visits to allergy clinic in order to focus support; interventions to improve self‐efficacy in parents of food allergic children should be explored.