Separation anxiety disorder, perceived overprotection and quality of life in epilepsy patients.

OBJECTIVE: People with epilepsy suffer from the stress of living with a chronic, unpredictable disease that can lead to discrimination, misunderstanding, social stigma, and loss of autonomy in activities of daily life, elevating anxiety. Within the scope of this research, we aimed to elucidate the frequency of separation anxiety disorder in adult people with epilepsy and to examine the relationship between separation anxiety symptoms, perceived overprotection, and quality of life in comparison to the control group. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This prospective study was conducted with 105 people with epilepsy and 115 healthy volunteers. All participants were evaluated by a psychiatrist in this study using a DSM-5-based clinical interview. Sociodemographic Data Questionnaire, Structured Clinical Interview for Separation Anxiety Symptoms (SCI-SAS), Separation Anxiety Symptom Inventory (SASI), Adult Separation Anxiety Questionnaire (ASA-27), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) were administered to both groups, and Overprotection Scale, Quality of Life in Epilepsy Inventory (QOLIE-31) to only epilepsy group. Hierarchical regression analysis was used to explain the quality of life in epilepsy. Multivariate linear regression analysis was used to explain separation anxiety symptom scores. RESULTS: The rates of education, employment, and living alone were lower in the epilepsy group (p < 0.001, p < 0.001 and p < 0.001). Separation anxiety disorder of adulthood and other psychiatric comorbidities were significantly higher in the epilepsy group (p = 0.029 and p = 0.003). There was a significant negative correlation between the quality of life in epilepsy and separation anxiety symptom level, overprotection, and depression scores (p < 0.001, p = 0.01 and p < 0.01). In the logistic regression analysis, adult separation anxiety symptom level and depression scores were found to be independent factors for quality of life in epilepsy (p = 0.029 and p < 0.01). In patients with epilepsy, depression and quality of life scores were predictors for adult separation anxiety symptoms severity (p = 0.02 and p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: The frequency of diagnosis of separation anxiety disorder in adulthood was significantly higher in people with epilepsy. Overprotective attitudes of families and low quality of life were associated with high levels of separation anxiety.

Parental care and overprotection predict worry and anxiety symptoms in emerging adult students.

Anxiety disorders represent a prevalent mental health concern, with escalating rates, especially among emerging adults. University students, in particular, face a myriad of academic and life stressors that can amplify feelings of worry and anxiety. While early parental bonding seem to predict anxiety disorders later in life, the applicability to emerging adult students and its applicability to predict sub-clinical and transdiagnostic anxiety features remain unclear. This study aims to examine i) the relationship between demographic variables and key features of anxiety disorders (i.e., worry and anxiety symptoms); and ii) the predictive association between early parental bonding and anxiety-related features. A sample of 370 university students in Italy (n = 279 females; M age = 20.84 years, SD age = 1.81 years) completed the Parental Bonding Instrument, the Penn State Worry Questionnaire, and the Beck Anxiety Inventory. Females reported higher levels of worry and anxiety compared to males. Significantly higher worry and anxiety symptoms were reported by individuals who experienced affectionless control (low care and high overprotection) as compared to those exposed to optimal parenting (high care and low overprotection). Predictive models indicated that scores of parental care (i.e., the principal component between maternal and paternal care scores) and parental overprotection (i.e., the principal component between maternal and paternal overprotection scores) are robust predictors of worry and anxiety symptoms. However, this relationship showed a gender-specific pattern: lower parental care was more significant in predicting anxiety features in males, while high overprotection was more significant in females. The findings contribute to the comprehension of the risk factors influencing the susceptibility of emerging adult students to anxiety disorders.

Interpersonal sensitivity mediates the effects of perceived parenting styles on state anxiety and negative assessment of life events in adult volunteers from the community.

Aim: The association of parenting experiences in childhood with anxiety symptoms in adulthood has yet to be clarified. We hypothesized that interpersonal sensitivity (IPS) mediates the impacts of parenting experiences in childhood on anxiety symptoms and negative assessment of life events in adulthood. Methods: An observational cross-sectional study was carried out from January 2014 to August 2014 on 853 adults. Participants provided their demographic information and answered the following four self-administered questionnaires: Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI), Interpersonal Sensitivity Measure (IPSM), Life Experiences Survey (LES), and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory Form Y (STAI-Y). The data of a total of 404 participants who agreed to take part in this study were analyzed. Results: Multiple regression analysis with the State Anxiety subscale of STAI-Y as the dependent variable identified the following five out of the 15 independent variables as being statistically significant: IPSM total, LES positive and negative, PBI paternal overprotection, and employment status. This model explains 17.8% of the State Anxiety subscale score. In the structural equation models, the Care subscale showed significant indirect negative effects on State Anxiety subscale and LES negative score through a decrease in IPSM total score (ß = -0.061 and -0.042, respectively). The former indirect effect accounted for 31.6%, and the latter accounted for 56.8% of the total effects. In contrast, Overprotection subscale had opposite effects to Care subscale. Conclusion: These results suggest that parenting experiences in childhood are related to adult anxiety symptoms and the negative assessment of life events indirectly through IPS.

The impact of parental overprotection on the emotions and behaviors of pediatric hematologic cancer patients: a multicenter cross-sectional study.

Background: Parental overprotection may have an impact on children's emotional and behavioral problems (EBPs). As pediatric hematologic cancer patients have compromised immune systems, parents of such children often worry excessively, interfering with their daily lives. Therefore, avoiding overprotection is crucial for the overall physical and mental health of pediatric hematologic cancer patients. Aims: The aim of this study was to examine the current status of EBPs in pediatric hematologic cancer patients and analyze their associated risk factors. Design: This work was a multicenter cross-sectional observational and correlational study. We collected data anonymously through parental questionnaires from three pediatric hematologic oncology hospitals in China. The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, the Parental Overprotection Measure (POM) scale, and a general information survey designed by the research team were employed to assess children's EBPs, the degree of parental overprotection, as well as basic demographic and disease-related information. Chi-square tests and generalized linear mixed-effects regression analysis were used to analyze the factors influencing EBPs among the pediatric hematologic cancer patients. Setting and participants: Using a convenience sampling method, a total of 202 participants' parents were selected. All participants were invited to complete the questionnaire through one-on-one guidance. Results: Emotional symptoms accounted for the highest proportion of abnormal EBPs in children (27.72%), followed by peer problems (26.24%), prosocial behavior (25.74%), behavioral problems (14.36%), and total difficulties (13.86%). A minority of children had abnormal hyperactivity scores (4.95%). The results of a generalized linear mixed regression analysis showed that age, duration of illness, and parental overprotection were significant factors influencing abnormal EBPs in children (p < 0.05). A POM score threshold of 37 exhibited good sensitivity (74%) and specificity (90%) in predicting abnormal EBPs in children. Conclusion: Pediatric hematologic cancer patients under excessive parental protection are more prone to experiencing EBPs. Healthcare professionals should guide parents to reduce this excessive protection, thus mitigating the occurrence of EBPs in children.

Interdependencia entre la familia y la escuela: Un nuevo paradigma para reducir la sobreprotección / Interdependence between family and school: A new paradigm to reduce overprotection

Se analiza el rol de la familia en el ejercicio de la parentalidad como factor de protección, imprescindible, para el desarrollo integral de sus hijas e hijos debido la clara desorientación de muchas practicas parentales que provocan un aumento de la sobreprotección. Esta respuesta familiar se debe a la gran diversidad de informaciones en los medios de comunicación y las redes sociales sugiriendo soluciones salomónicas, con enfoques alarmistas, ante la complejidad de la sociedad actual. Esta desorientación adulta se traduce en una distorsión del rol adulto, aumento de temores y desconfianza en relación con la acción educativa y una mayor inmadurez y dependencia en la población infantil y adolescente. Se propone un cambio de paradigma que incida y ofrezca una perspectiva diferente que evite el sentimiento de culpabilidad y dinamice los constantes debates entre las instituciones y las familias evitando el traspaso de responsabilidades especialmente hacia las familias. No es posible que se exija que actúen con criterios educativos y, a la vez, asumir responsabilidades en relación con los rendimientos escolares, ya que se genera, en algunos sectores, una indefensión absoluta. Es preciso este cambio de enfoque para afrontar las dificultades educativas cambiando los objetivos para modelar las relaciones con un enfoque basado en la interdependencia y no desde la perspectiva neoliberal que genera este enfoque clasista y segregador. Sólo de esta manera se puede recuperar la seguridad y reforzar la implicación, de manera cooperativa y compartida, asumiendo las responsabilidades propias sin las exigencias que crean sesgos de clase social.

The role of the family in the exercise of parenthood is analyzed as a factor of protection, essential for the integral development of their children due to the clear disorientation of many parental practices that cause an increase in overprotection. This family response is due to the great diversity of information in the media and social networks suggesting Solomonic solutions, with alarmist approaches, to the complexity of today's society. This adult disorientation translates into a distortion of the adult role, increased fears and distrust in relation to educational action and greater immaturity and dependence in the child and adolescent population. A change of paradigm is proposed that incurs and offers a different perspective that avoids the feeling of guilt and stimulates the constant debates between institutions and families avoiding the transfer of responsibilities especially towards families. It is not possible to demand that they act with educational criteria and, at the same time, assume responsibilities in relation to school performance, since it generates, in some sectors, absolute helplessness. This change of approach is necessary to face the educational difficulties by changing the objectives to model the relationships with an approach based on interdependence and not from the neoliberal perspective generated by this class and segregated approach. Only in this way can security be recovered, and the implication reinforced, in a cooperative and shared way, assuming one's responsibilities without the demands that create lower social class.

Representaciones sociales de la prematurez desde la perspectiva de personas nacidas prematuras en la década de los noventa / Social representations of premature birth from the perspective of individuals born preterm in the 1990s

Introducción. La prematurez es un problema de salud pública que desafía a enfocar sus causas y consecuencias con un abordaje multidisciplinario. No hay estudios que analicen la prematurez desde la perspectiva de personas que nacieron de parto prematuro. Objetivo. Identificar las representaciones sociales asociadas a la prematurez de personas nacidas de parto prematuro en Argentina en la década de los noventa. Población y métodos. Se realizaron 12 grupos focales, con personas que nacieron prematuramente y con peso < 1500 g, atendidas en centros de tercer nivel entre 1990 y 1995. Los contenidos de los grupos focales se analizaron sobre la base de la teoría de las representaciones sociales. Resultados. Participaron 59 jóvenes y adolescentes, con una mediana de edad de 18,5 ± 2,3 años. A partir del análisis de los grupos focales, se elaboraron 6 núcleos temáticos: trayectoria de vida, recuerdos y vivencias de los padres, sobreprotección, cuerpo, escolaridad, relación con las prácticas y saberes médicos. Conclusiones. La metodología utilizada generó un espacio de mutuo reconocimiento y reflexión para los participantes. La prematurez constituye un elemento significativo, principalmente en aquellos que tuvieron mayores secuelas. Los jóvenes y adolescentes alertan sobre los efectos negativos de la sobreprotección de los padres, así como dan cuenta de la posibilidad de resignificar las dificultades de su historia de prematurez.

Introduction.Prematurity is a public health problem that calls to focus on its causes and consequences through a trans disciplinary approach. There are no studies analyzing premature birth from the perspective of individuals born preterm. Objective.To identify social representations associated with premature birth of individuals born preterm in the 1990s in Argentina. Population and Methods.Twelve focus groups were conducted with individuals born preterm with a birth weight <1500 g assisted at tertiary care facilities between 1990 and 1995. Focus group contents were analyzed based on the social representation theory. Results.Fifty-nine adolescents and youth participated; their median age was 18.5 ± 2.3 years old. Based on the analysis of focus groups, six core themes were developed: life experience, parents' memories and experiences, overprotection body, education, relationship with the medical practice and knowledge. Conclusions.The methodology used allowed to create a space for mutual recognition and reflection for participants. Prematurity is a significant element, especially in those who suffered major sequelae. Adolescents and youth give a warning on the negative effects caused by overprotective parents and reveal the possibility of redefining the challenges associated with their history of premature birth.