Parenting Measures and Their Psychometrics in LGBTQIA+ Families: A Systematic Review.

Parenting significantly influences youth development, yet there's a dearth of research on measuring parenting among LGBTQIA+ caregivers, or caregivers of LGBTQIA+ children (hereafter LGBTQIA+ families). In this systematic review we identified and evaluated the psychometrics of parenting scales validated for this population. The inclusion criteria encompassed studies with LGBTQIA+ families in major databases and secondary sources, psychometric assessment, and English language. Eight studies validating ten scales measuring parenting practices, parental attitudes, beliefs, and perceptions were identified. Generally, studies reported promising psychometrics, showing evidence of construct validity in all and reliability in seven. However, the review also unveiled crucial gaps: a paucity of scales validated among LGBTQIA+ fathers, and predominantly featured non-Hispanic White participants. Findings underscore the necessity for more inclusive samples that reflect the diversity of LGBTQIA+ families. The validation of parenting scales is crucial for understanding parenting in LGBTQIA+ families and developing parenting interventions to promote their well-being.

Parental anxiety and pediatric vaccine refusal in a US national sample of parents.

OBJECTIVES: Understanding vaccine hesitancy among parents is of emerging interest and of rising importance for promoting vaccine uptake to prevent pediatric illness. Here, we examine associations between pediatric vaccine refusal and parental symptoms of anxiety. METHODS: Our cross-sectional survey assessed pediatric vaccine refusal in 1699 parents in a US national sample. Participants completed a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Vaccine Hesitancy Scale, and symptoms of anxiety (GAD-7). RESULTS: The prevalence of pediatric vaccine refusal was 15.5 %. Parent symptoms of anxiety were related to vaccine refusal (OR = 1.07 [1.03, 1.10]). Mild (1.88 [1.39, 2.54], p <.001) and clinically significant (2.14 [1.39, 3.31], p <.001) symptoms of anxiety were also related to pediatric vaccine refusal. Parental anxiety was also associated with perceived risks of vaccines and reduced confidence. CONCLUSIONS: Findings highlight the need to consider parental anxiety in the development of public health interventions that address substandard pediatric vaccine uptake.