Brief report: Evaluation of an adapted youth version of Parents Taking Action for parents of pre/adolescents with autism spectrum disorder in Colombia.

LAY ABSTRACT: We evaluated the efficacy of the youth version of the program Parents Taking Action in Bogota, Colombia. This program aims to provide information, resources, and strategies about topics of puberty, sexuality, and adolescence for parents of preadolescents with autism spectrum disorder. We examined whether parents in the treatment groups would improve in levels of knowledge, empowerment, self-efficacy, and use of strategies compared to the control group. We recruited two groups of Colombian parents of pre/adolescent with autism spectrum disorder between the ages of 10 and 17 in the city of Bogota, Colombia, through a community-based organization. One of the groups received the intervention and the other served as a control group. Parents in the control group received the intervention after the 4-month follow-up. The intervention included four 3-h weekly sessions in which the curriculum with nine topic areas was delivered providing parents with a space to practice strategies, learn from others, and set goals. Parents in the intervention group reported significantly greater knowledge, self-efficacy, use of strategies, and empowerment compared to the control/waitlist group. Parents were also highly satisfied with the content, materials, and peer connections that the program offered. The program has potential for high impact as information is scarce and parents do not have resources related to the complicated developmental stages of pre/adolescence. The program shows promise as an efficacious tool for community organizations and health providers to provide extra support to families of youth with autism spectrum disorder.

Development and Implementation of Educational Material by Nurses for Parents/Caregivers of Children With Cancer: A Peruvian National Study.

Background: Education for parents and caregivers of children with cancer is one of the fundamental roles of nurses to avoid complications, provide quality care, promote adherence to treatment and maintain basic standards of care. This study aimed to design educational material for parents and caregivers of children with cancer in Peru on general information about childhood cancer and its care. Method: Within the framework of the WHO Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer in Peru, a multicenter working group was convened by the Peruvian Ministry of Health. A comprehensive needs assessment of parents and caregivers of children with cancer was performed through a survey in June and July 2020. The survey was conducted online (via Google Forms) and in person at nine hospitals to examine the preferred method of delivery and content of information. Results: Based on the findings from the parent needs assessment, a national nursing working group developed Spanish-language audiovisual materials (i.e., diagnosis and treatment videos for nurses to educate parents and caregivers). A total of 365 parents and caregivers were included. Most respondents (56.9%) were parents of children receiving treatment. Main topics were childhood cancer overview and side effects (85%), food and nutrition (75%), and palliative care (67%); most (70.9%) preferred information through talks and videos (64.7%). Twenty-three videos were developed with support by the Pan American Health Organization and the Ministry of Health. Discussion: Assessing the educational needs of parents and caregivers of children with cancer provides a starting point in the design of targeted strategies.

Estrategias y necesidades educativas de padres de bebés prematuros en un hospital de tercer nivel de Cali, Colombia / Strategies and educational needs of parents of premature infants in a third level hospital in Cali, Colombia / Estratégias e necessidades educacionais de pais de bebês prematuros em um hospital de nível terciário em Cali, Colômbia

Resumen El objetivo fue determinar las estrategias y necesidades educativas de padres de bebés prematuros en un hospital de Cali, Colombia. El estudio fue cualitativo de sistematización de experiencias centrada en un proceso de intervención mediada. Los ejes de la sistematización fueron: las necesidades educativas y las estrategias de mejoramiento. La muestra estuvo conformada por 11 madres y padres quienes recibieron educación en el contexto de un programa de seguimiento, seleccionados a través de un muestreo opinático por criterios, entrevistados en profundidad. Se realizó análisis de contenido temático. Se encontró que las necesidades educativas se agrupan en los cuidados del bebé: conocimientos básicos, conductas y emociones, condición de salud y alimentación y cuidados del cuidador. Las estrategias se enfocaron en el uso y aprovechamiento de las tecnologías de la información, la escuela de padres y la integración del grupo familiar. (AU)

Abstract We aimed to identify educational strategies and needs of parents of premature babies hospital in Cali, Colombia. We conducted a qualitative study of systematization of experiences focused on a process of mediated intervention. The axes of the systematization were: parental educational needs and improvement strategies for the follow-up program. The sample consisted of 11 mothers and parents who received education during a follow-up program, selected through an opinion-based sampling criterion. We conducted in-depth interviews with the parents and then used thematic content analysis. We found parental educational needs grouped into baby care: basic knowledge, behaviors and emotions, health and nutritional condition, and caregiver care. Improvement strategies suggested for the program focused on the use of information technologies, the parents' school, and the integration of families (AU)

Resumo O objetivo foi determinar as estratégias e necessidades educativas dos pais de bebês prematuros em um hospital de Cali, Colômbia. O estudo foi qualitativo de sistematização de experiências centradas num processo de intervenção mediado. Os eixos de sistematização foram: necessidades educativas e estratégias de melhoria. A amostra foi composta por 11 pais e mães que receberam educação no contexto de um programa de acompanhamento, selecionados por amostragem de opinião por critérios, entrevistados em profundidade. Foi realizada análise de conteúdo temática. Constatou-se que as necessidades educativas se agrupam nos seguintes cuidados com o bebê: conhecimentos básicos, comportamentos e emoções, estado de saúde, alimentação e cuidados do cuidador. As estratégias centraram-se na utilização e exploração das tecnologias de informação, na escola para os pais e na integração do grupo familiar. (AU)

Influence of pre-schooler and parent nutrition education on carotenoid levels of Mexican-heritage children.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the mediating effect of direct preschool and parent nutrition education on changes in skin carotenoids scores over 2 years in children of Mexican heritage. DESIGN: In a quasi-experimental, community-based study, two school districts were randomly assigned to either a comparison group (parent workshops unrelated to nutrition) or a childhood obesity prevention intervention group which included nutrition education at family nights for parents and at school for children. Changes in skin carotenoid intensity scores (diffCAROT, year 2015 minus 2013) were measured in children as a proxy for fruit and vegetable consumption using Resonance Raman Spectroscopy. SETTING: Two rural, low-income, school districts from a county in California's Central Valley. PARTICIPANTS: 316 Mexican heritage families with children aged 3-8 years. RESULTS: Intervention group children improved over 2 years in skin carotenoid scores relative to comparison group children (diffCAROT mean +1419 (sd 9540) v. -3473 (sd 9272), P = 0·0001). Parent attendance at nutrition education classes partially mediated the intervention effect on diffCAROT (P = 0·02). Controlling for child's age and other covariates, participation in preschool during the study had a significant positive effect on diffCAROT among intervention children compared with controls (P < 0·03), whereas no significant difference by group was observed among those not enrolled in preschool or already enrolled in elementary school. CONCLUSIONS: Programmes that combine direct parent and preschool nutrition education may be effective in low-income Mexican heritage families to improve children's intake of fruit and vegetables.

Does Achievement Rise Fastest with School Choice, School Resources, or Family Resources? Chile from 2002 to 2013.

Debates in education policy draw on different theories about how to raise children's achievement. The school competition theory holds that achievement rises when students can choose among competing schools. The school resources theory holds that achievement rises with schools' resources per student. The family resources theory holds that achievement rises as parents become more educated and earn higher incomes. We test all three theories in Chile between 2002 and 2013, when reading and math scores rose by 0.2 to 0.3 standard deviations, as school competition, school resources, and family resources all increased. We compare Chilean municipalities in a difference-in-differences analysis, asking whether test scores rose fastest in municipalities with greater increases in school competition, school resources, or family resources. We find that municipal test scores did not rise with school competition but did rise with family resources (parental education, not income) and, to a smaller extent, with school resources (as measured by class sizes). Results favor the family resource theory, and to a lesser extent the school resource theory, but not the school competition theory.

Parent Perspectives on Readiness for Discharge Home after Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Admission.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the parent perspective on discharge home from the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). STUDY DESIGN: We interviewed parents of NICU graduates with a range of demographic characteristics and medical complexities to explore parent perspectives on readiness for discharge. Interviews were transcribed and coded by a 6-member team. We performed content analysis to identify themes and develop a family-centered conceptual framework around readiness for NICU discharge. RESULTS: We interviewed a total of 15 parents who experienced NICU stays with 18 infants. Parents who have experienced NICU discharge have a spectrum of needs that evolve from the time the child is in the NICU, at time of discharge, and at home afterward. These needs consistently centered around 5 themes-communication, parent role clarity, emotional support, knowledge sources, and financial resources. CONCLUSIONS: Parents described many ways the system could have better prepared them and connected them with essential resources. Summarizing the voices of the parents who participated in this study, we have compiled a series of practical recommendations for clinicians to use in daily practice to help parents feel prepared and confident for the transition home from the NICU.

Parent Education and Substance Use among Latin-American Early Adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between parent education, at individual- and school-level, and substance use behaviors (smoking, alcohol drinking, binge drinking, and illicit drug use) among young adolescents from Argentina and Mexico. METHODS: A cross-sectional, school-based survey of middle-school early adolescents from Mexico (N=10,123) and Argentina (N=3,172) queried substance use. RESULTS: After adjusting for age, sex and individual-level parent education, students from Mexican schools with lower parent education had higher likelihood of current smoking and drug use than those from schools with higher parent education. In Argentina, lower parent education at school-level was positively associated with all outcomes. CONCLUSION: Disadvantageous contextual school characteristics contributes to substance use among early adolescents in Mexico and Argentina.

Conocimientos de padres de niños con síndrome de Down sobre trastornos del lenguaje antes y después de una estrategia educativa / Parent's knowledge about language disorders of children with Down syndrome before and after an educational strategy

Introducción: el lenguaje es un mecanismo primordial en la comunicación humana, el cual ejerce una influencia positiva en la esfera psicológica del individuo. En los niños con síndorme de Down son frecuentes los trastornos del lenguaje y aunque existen programas diseñados para padres y educadores, estos deben ser extensivos y ajustados para aplicar a las familias de estos niños.Objetivo: incrementar el conocimiento sobre los trastornos del lenguaje en los padres y/o madres de niños con síndorme de Down de un círculo infantil especial, a través de una estrategia educativa.Métodos: se aplicó una estrategia educativa con un diseño ambispectivo de estudio pre-test y post-test, para explorar el conocimiento que poseían un grupo de padres y/o madres sobre el desarrollo del lenguaje de sus hijos con síndorme de Down, matriculados en un círculo Infantil especial. El estudio se dividió en tres fases: en la fase inicial se aplicó una encuesta; en la segunda fase se aplicaron los talleres a todos los padres y/o madres; y la tercera fase consistió en la aplicación de la encuesta inicial.Resultados: después de los talleres todos los padres y/o madres reconocían los trastornos del lenguaje en sus hijos, la participación en la estimulación aumentó significativamente al lograrse que 19 (90,5 porciento) de ellos cooperaran y las perspectivas de mejoría futura mejoraron significativamente pues estuvieron presentes en 14 (66,7 porciento) progenitores.Conclusiones: aumentó el conocimiento de los padres y/o madres sobre los trastornos del lenguaje, a partir de la estrategia educativa desarrollada por los mismos

Background: language is a fundamental mechanism in human communication which has a positive influence on the psychological sphere of the individual. In children with Down syndrome, language disorders are common although there are programs which have been designed for parents and educators, which should be extended and adjusted to apply them to the families of these children.Objectives: to increase knowledge about language disorders through an educational strategy for the parents of children with Down syndrome in a special nursery.Methods: we applied an educational strategy with a pre-test / post- test ambispective design study to explore the knowledge that a group of parents had on language development of children with Down syndrome, enrolled in a special nursery. The study was divided into three phases: the initial phase in which a survey was applied, the second phase in which workshops were applied to all parents, and the third phase which consisted on the implementation of the initial survey.Results: after the workshops, all parents recognized language disorders in their children. The participation in the stimulation increased significantly achieving that 19 (90.5 per cent) of them were very cooperative. The perspectives for future development improved significantly because 14 (66.7per cent) parents were present.Conclusions: parents´ knowledge about language disorders increased after the education strategy that was developed for them

Presentación de una propuesta de formación de padres y madres de familia / Apresentação de uma proposta da educação de pais e mães de família / Presentation of a Training Proposal for Parents

Este artículo reporta las experiencias realizadas con los Talleres de Formación de Padres desarrollados durante el año 2011 por la Facultad de Psicología de la Universidad Católica del Uruguay. Se realizaron veinticuatro talleres en seis instituciones educativas católicas de Montevideo e Interior del país. Los objetivos de los talleres fueron: generar espacios de reflexión y participación entre los padres participantes, fomentar la creación de grupos de diálogo y fortalecer el vínculo institución educativa-familia. Participaron de la experiencia ciento treinta padres de alumnos de primer y segundo año de secundaria. La evaluación se realizó a través de cuestionarios cerrados para padres y referentes institucionales. Las principales conclusiones son: los padres participantes informaron que la educación de padres resulta necesaria para el desempeño de su rol y que la misma se ve fortalecida si las instituciones educativas apoyan y acompañan este proceso.

This paper reports the experiences obtained from the parent training workshops realized by the Faculty of Psychology of the Catholic University of Uruguay during the year 2011. Twenty four workshops have been made in six catholic educational institutes in Montevideo and the country’s inland. The objectives of the workshops were: to generate space for the reflection and participation among parents, stimulate the creation of dialogue groups and strengthen the bound between the educational institute and the family. One hundred and thirty parents of pupils from the first and second year of secondary school participated. The evaluation was realized through fixed-alternative questionnaires to parents and institutional reference figures. The main conclusions are: parents reported their need to be educated as parents and that parent education is strengthened when educational institutes support and accompany this process.

Este artigo relata as experiências realizadas a partir de Oficinas de Formação de Pais desenvolvidas em 2011 pela Faculdade de Psicologia da Universidade Católica do Uruguai. Vinte e quatro oficinas foram realizadas em seis instituições educativas católicas de Montevidéu e do país. Os objetivos das oficinas foram: criar espaços de reflexão e participação entre os pais, fomentar a criação de grupos de debate e fortalecer o vínculo entre instituição escolar e família. A experiência envolveu 130 pais de alunos de primeiro e segundo anos da Ensino Médio. A avaliação foi realizada através de questionários fechados para os país e las referências institucionais. As principais conclusões são: os pais participantes relataram que a educação de pais é necessária para o desempenho de seu papel e que a mesma resulta fortalecida caso as instituições educacionais apoiem e acompanhem este processo.

Educational Progress and Parenting Among Mexican Immigrant Mothers of Young Children.

This study examined the potential for educational investments in Mexican immigrant mothers to enhance their management of their children's pathways through an educational system in the U.S. that often disadvantages them. We tested this hypothesis with data on 816 Mexican immigrant women and their children in the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study-Kindergarten Cohort (ECLS-K). The results suggest that mothers who pursued their own schooling over a four year period, regardless of degree attainment, increased their engagement with their children's schools during that same period. These results appeared to be robust to a wide range of factors selecting women into continuing education.