Abstract

The epidemic of childhood obesity, which occurs at higher rates for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), has been shown to have many deleterious health effects for both children and their parents. Previous research has consistently shown that child externalizing and internalizing behaviors are predictive of parenting stress in parents of children with IDD. Less is known about the nature of this relationship when an additional barrier, child weight status, is examined in the context of this relationship. The current study investigated child and parent factors related to parental distress in a sample of children with IDD who present with elevated weight status. We aimed to examine whether child overweight status predicted parental distress, above and beyond factors typically predictive of parenting stress in this population. Child factors examined in this study included weight status, behavioral problems, and social skills. We hypothesized that child overweight status would be a significant predictor of parental distress. Data was collected from children (ages 9-15 years old) with IDD and their parents enrolled in a week-long camp targeting health knowledge and behaviors. Using multiple linear regression, data was analyzed to determine whether the child functioning variables are predictive of parental distress and whether their combination accounted for a significant portion of the variance in parental distress. There was no significant relationship between child BMI and parental distress. Increased child behaviors were predictive of increased parental distress, while decreased social skills problems were predictive of increased parental distress. Results suggested that despite overweight/obesity status, children’s behavior problems and skills deficits remain as the dominant sources of parental distress.

LLU Discipline

Psychology

Department

Psychology

School

School of Behavioral Health

First Advisor

Cameron L. Neece

Second Advisor

Allyson L. Davis

Degree Name

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Degree Level

Psych.D.

Year Degree Awarded

2020

Date (Title Page)

9-2020

Language

English

Library of Congress/MESH Subject Headings

Childhood obesity; Developmental disability; Parents psychology

Type

Doctoral Project

Digital Format

PDF

Digital Publisher

Loma Linda University Libraries

Usage Rights

This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Collection

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Collection Website

http://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/

Repository

Loma Linda University. Del E. Webb Memorial Library. University Archives

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