TITLE:
A Stress Management and Health Promotion Intervention for Parents of Children with Cerebral Palsy and Motor Disability at the Infant Department of the Greek Center for the Protection and Rehabilitation of the Disabled (ELEPAP). Quasi-Experimental Study
AUTHORS:
Efthymia Thanou, Crysa Tsiou, Christalena Kattami, George P. Chrousos, Christina Darviri
KEYWORDS:
Cerebral Palsy, Parents, Stress, Parental Stress, Anxiety, Depression, Relaxation
JOURNAL NAME:
Psychology,
Vol.7 No.4,
April
21,
2016
ABSTRACT: Studies
show the correlation between children’s physical disabilities and parental
stress. The importance of the length of systemic therapy as well as stress
management is emphasized in the literature. The present study aims to explore
the outcome of a holistic stress management and health promotion intervention.
This is a quasi-experimental study (N = 60, 1:1 allocation ratio). The study
was conducted at ELEPAP, the Greek center for the protection and rehabilitation
of the disabled. Self-administered scales were used to measure lifestyle
variables, perceived stress, depression, and anxiety, locus of control, and
spirituality. Stress management techniques were taught to the participants, who
also attended lectures on health behaviors. Both quantitative and qualitative
data were recorded. The objectives of the study were to reduce perceived stress
levels, anxiety, and depressive symptoms, and improve the participants’ quality
of life, as well as to promote healthy dietary patterns. Regarding the stress
levels and the depression symptoms, the objectives were achieved (r = 0.71 and
r = 0.78 respectively). Lifestyle changes were also observed in nutrition (r = 0.92),
exercise(r = 0.51), diet (r = 0.87), routine (r = 0.92), and social support (r
= 0.92). Regarding spirituality, there was no significant difference. In
conclusion, the present study demonstrates that intervention which combines
stress management techniques with cognitive restructuring can reduce stress. It
would be beneficial for children’s parents to implement such interventions in a
clinical setting.