Stress reduction interventions for parents/family of children with chronic diseases: a scoping review

INTRODUCTION: In consideration of the changes and repercussions on the family dynamics, apart from childcare responsibilities, parents and caregivers of children with chronic disease face frequent stressors, resulting in rising levels of stress. This review thus aims to analyse studies that assessed the efficacy of psychosocial interventions directed at stress management among parents and family members of children with the most prevalent chronic diseases (cancer, asthma, diabetes and cardiovascular disease). METHOD: This study classifies as a scoping review. The literature search included articles published in five electronic databases (EBSCO, b-On, PubMed, Scielo and Web of Science), in line with the inclusion criteria. RESULTS: A total of 15 articles were selected. Interventions varied in relation to outcomes, study design, sample, modalities and strategies. Of the 15 studies, 53% found no significant differences in participants stress levels or between the intervention group and the control group, 40% showed a significant decrease in participants stress levels, and 7% presented mixed results with improvements in some emotional dimensions after the intervention. DISCUSSION: Despite the mixed results with regards to the levels of stress, the significant results might justify the importance of performing such interventions among this population. Interventions that are personalized and directed at this populations needs might be effective at reducing stress levels.