Quality of life in caregivers of children with food allergies

Caring for a child with a food allergy can be burdensome and negatively affect parental quality of life. The mechanisms for improving quality of life in parents of food-allergic children are not yet understood, but recent studies have suggested that information provision can enhance self-efficacy, and in turn quality of life.

The present study developed an online self-help website that aimed to improve quality of life and psychological wellbeing in parents of children with food allergy. The website was developed in consultation with parents and allergy specialists. Parents of children with food allergy (N=205) participated in a randomised controlled trial, comparing the website intervention with a waitlist control. No significant differences were found between the website intervention group and the control group between baseline and post-intervention (4 weeks) on any outcome (quality of life, depression, anxiety or stress) or in any potential mediator (self-efficacy and intolerance of uncertainty).

Analysis of adherence data identified low engagement with the website, suggesting that the intervention may not have been best suited to the participating parents. Feedback recommended that the intervention would be better targeted at parents of newly diagnosed children. Study limitations are discussed.