Parental psychosocial distress: A needs assessment for parents of infants 0 to 1 year with food allergies and intolerances.
A food allergy diagnosis can be a life-altering experience. The stress involved for the child and their parents has been underappreciated.
We recently learned of a new research study examining parental psychosocial distress following the diagnosis of food allergy or intolerance in infants. Tal Raizer, a family nurse practitioner (BSN, MSN, FNP-C) and a Doctorate candidate at Old Dominion University is conducting this research study as part of her capstone project in the Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Old Dominion University.
We had the opportunity to sit down with Tal to learn more about this very important research.
1. Can you tell us a little about your research project?
The research is geared towards parents who have or have had an infant diagnosed with a food allergy or intolerance during the first year of life. The research will be survey based and all participants are welcome to take the survey.
2. What is the name of the study?
The name of the study is “Parental psychosocial distress: A needs assessment for parents of infants 0 to 1 year with food allergies and intolerances” This is an IRB approved from Old Dominion University.
3. What are the objectives of the research?
The study aims to identify resource needs for parents and primary caregivers of infants with food allergy or intolerance who experience parental distress following diagnosis.
4. What makes you passionate about the research?
I myself have an infant who was diagnosed with a dairy intolerance at 6 weeks of age. It has been a very frustrating and stressful time in my life and navigating parenthood as a new parent in addition to a diagnosis of food allergy or intolerance has been very difficult for me personally. I found that healthcare providers were not very knowledgeable regarding these issues and did not have the time or space to provide emotional support to me as a parent. I’m hoping that this research identifies the critical issues that parents face following this diagnosis and brings awareness in order for healthcare providers to provide more support.
5. How will this research be utilized?
This study can improve provider awareness of psychosocial needs in parents with food allergic or intolerant infants. It can also identify important resources and direct future interventions by primary care providers in this population.
6. How does someone get involved?
It is an online survey. If you or someone you know has a child that was diagnosed with a food allergy or intolerance within the first year of life, please take the survey here. The more responses, the more information we can gather and hopefully, the better the data and outcomes.
7. Is there anything else you would like us to know?
The survey consists of 33 questions. The surveys are completely anonymous and no identifying information will be collected. Please be aware that no medical advice is provided in response to the questions included in the survey.
8. If someone has a question, how can they learn more or get in touch with you?
If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact me at 954-600-5137 or traiz001@odu.edu, Dr. Rebecca Poston (Responsible Principal Investigator) at 757-683-5248 or rdeal@odu.edu, or Dr. Tancy Vandecar-Burdin, the Institutional Review Board (IRB) Chair at Old Dominion University to review this matter with you at 757-683-3802 or tvandeca@odu.edu. You may also contact the Office of Research at 757-683-3460
You can take the survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2NL78MJ
This blog post is an interview conducted with Tal Raizer, BSN, MSN, FNP-C, a family nurse practitioner and written by Joy Meyer, Co-Director of The FPIES Foundation.
