ACLP Bulletin

Fall 2018 | VOL. 36 NO. 4

 

CHILD LIFE FOCUS:

26 Meta-Parenting Among Parents of Hospitalized Children

Elizabeth M. McCarroll, PhD, CCLS
Texas Woman's University, Denton, TX

ABSTRACT
Meta-parenting refers to thoughts parents have about their childrenand their parenting practices. This study utilized a novel approach toinvestigate parenting and the thought processes behind parentingby applying the meta-parenting framework and concepts to a uniqueand understudied population: parents of hospitalized children.Four categories of meta-parenting were examined in the currentstudy: anticipating, assessing, problem-solving, and reflecting.Variables such as child age, parental education, and stress were alsoexamined. A child health status variable was included to explore therole of the child’s health in meta-parenting in this sample. Finally,data from this study were analyzed to compare previous results fromstudies using the four meta-parenting categories. Data were collectedin the form of questionnaires from 76 parents at a large pediatricmedical facility. Results indicated that parenting stress does play asignificant role in meta-parenting and impacts the category of metaparentingparents engage in. Therefore, it is important for individualsworking with children and families in stressful situations, such ashospitalization, to understand the impact stress has on parentingthoughts, practices, and decisions so that they may better supportchildren and families in stressful environments.