• To understand that food allergy in children and young people can induce significant anxiety in parents
• To recognise that parents’ anxiety may influence the way their children adjust to living with a food allergy
• To learn how cognitive behavioural therapy-based strategies can support parents to manage their stress and anxiety
Food allergy is a common allergic disease and often coexists with other allergic diseases such as asthma, allergic rhinitis and eczema. Parents of children and young people with food allergy commonly experience stress and anxiety and this can significantly affect their child’s mental health. Interventions that incorporate approaches from cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can reduce stress and anxiety in parents of children and young people with food allergy and support healthy adjustment and psychological well-being in their children. However, access to psychological services is limited. This article uses reflection on a case study to illustrate the value of taking a CBT-informed intervention approach and to outline the potential role for nurses in its delivery. Research suggests that talking therapies may improve mental health and parenting behaviours in the parents of children and young people with a range of long-term conditions, so this article is also relevant to their care.
Nursing Children and Young People. doi: 10.7748/ncyp.2023.e1453
Peer reviewThis article has been subject to open peer review and checked for plagiarism using automated software
Correspondence Conflict of interestNone declared
McDonnell A, Manning JC, Gardner J et al (2023) Parental anxiety in food allergy: using a cognitive behavioural therapy approach to guide early intervention. Nursing Children and Young People. doi: 10.7748/ncyp.2023.e1453
AcknowledgementsThe authors would like to thank Linda Tinkler, trust lead for Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professionals Research, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, England; the Paediatric Allergy Team, Great North Children’s Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, England; and the Children’s Services Directorate Management Team, Great North Children’s Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, England
Published online: 09 May 2023
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