Parenting Stress Index (PSI) Update

Posted on: March 6, 2016 | By: dkendall2 | Filed under: Parenting Stress Index (PSI)

*Updated information

Costs: Kit – $227.00, Answer sheets – $80.00, Profile forms – $28.00,

Booklet – $74.00, Manual – $80.00, Continuing education materials – $26.00.

References:

  • PAR inc. Parenting stress index, fourth edition. 2012. http://www4.parinc.com/Products/Product.aspx?ProductID=PSI-4, Accessed March 6, 2016.
  • Parenting stress index (PSI-4), fourth edition. 2015. http://www.wpspublish.com/store/p/2925/parenting-stress-index-psi-4-fourth-edition, Accessed March 6, 2016.

 

Research Article:

Sherief, L. M., Kamal, N. M., Abdalrahman, H. M., Youssef, D. M., Alhady, M. A. A., Ali, A. S., … & Hashim, H. M. (2015). Psychological Impact of Chemotherapy for Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia on Patients and Their Parents. Medicine94(51).

The purpose of this observational study was to assess the self-esteem of children undergoing chemotherapy treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and to assess the psychological status of their parents. The Rosenberg self-esteem scale was used to assess the psychological status of the children while the parenting stress index (PSI) was used to assess the parents. This study included 178 children who were receiving chemotherapy treatment for ALL and their parents. A cross sectional study was performed over a period of 2 years. Inclusion criteria: age 6-18, conscious, able to communicate, in complete remission, in maintenance phase of chemotherapy, and same maintenance protocol. Children and parents with a history of psychiatric illness were excluded. The results of this study indicated that 84.83% of the patients had low self-esteem. Long duration of disease was found to be the factor that most negatively impacted scores. Higher PSI scores were significantly associated with low sense of competence, negative attachment to their children, feeling of high restriction, high depression, poor relation to spouse, high social isolation, low acceptability for the parents’ domains. Higher PSI scores were significantly associated with low distraction, negative parents’ reinforcement, and low acceptability for the child’s domains. In conclusion, chemotherapy for ALL as impacts on both the parents and the child undergoing the treatment. This study shows that this treatment causes a decrease in self-esteem in the patients and an increase in stress for the parents.

 

6 responses to “Parenting Stress Index (PSI) Update”

  1. jmyracle says:

    Was there any information given by the author if hospitals/clinicians were aware of the high depression rates and low self esteem? Where any programs in place for these issues and were their any hospitals that had patients with markedly improved self-esteem or parents with better PSI scores? If so, what were these hospitals/clinicians doing differently?

  2. mperry10 says:

    Pretty neat study. How often did the assess the parents stress throughout the study?

  3. ctempleton2 says:

    I think it is really interesting to evaluate the stress of the caregivers in regards to having a child with different illnesses or disorders. It could be interesting for future studies to determine a parenting stress index across the board for different disorders, so parents could have an idea of potential future stressors and could develop healthy coping strategies early on. Obviously there is a lot of variability to the amount of stress that would come along with having a sick child including support groups, typical stress level, personality type, financial status etc. I have seen two very different responses to parents having a child with leukemia in my church. One family had a lot of familial support and was financially well-off, and the parents were visibly less stressed than another family with a single-mother who struggled financially. The Parenting Stress Index seems like a good way to prepare for the stress of having a sick child and adapt healthy coping strategies.

  4. tcope says:

    The parenting stress index appears to be a great tool to assess the stress and well being of the caregiver for children with disabilities. The relationship between child and parent plays an integral role in the rehabilitation and care for children with disabilities. In this article, it is further demonstrated how much psychosocial issues play a role in children with ALL for children and parents. I would be interested to see what types of interventions serve to decrease scores on the PSI for parents who have children with significant diseases.

  5. avandewater says:

    This sounds like a very useful tool to help identify potential stressors. Even if this tool is not used for goal setting, it could be helpful in addressing and problem solving through stress. If the parent is stressed, it is likely that the child can sense that. As a PT in the pediatric setting, it is our job to not only help improve the health and QOL of the child but of the whole family unit when possible. I am curious to know if an outcome measure like this exists for caregivers (for older adults/spouses). Thanks for sharing!

  6. Paula A. DiBiasio says:

    I would hope there is something similar out there for adult caregivers. Such a great discussion, thank you! I agree, identifying a need is important, but then having resources to help must be the next step. We are fortunate in NC to have some support resources for parents/families.

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