Benefit‐finding process development in families raising children with chronic food hypersensitivity

• Published date: 01 April 2022
• Author: Ammanda‐Jane Glazebrook,Karena J. Burke,Jane Shakespeare‐Finch
• Date: 01 April 2022
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1111/fare.12648

RESEARCH

Benefit-finding process development in families raising

children with chronic food hypersensitivity

Ammanda-Jane Glazebrook

1

|Karena J. Burke

1

|

Jane Shakespeare-Finch

2

1

School of Health, Medical and Applied

Sciences, Central Queensland University,

Rockhampton, Australia

2

School of Psychology and Counselling,

Faculty of Health, Queensland University of

Technology, Brisbane, Australia

Correspondence

Ammanda-Jane Glazebrook, School of

Psychology and Counselling, Faculty of

Health, Queensland University of Technology,

GPO Box 2434, Brisbane, QLD, Australia,

4001.

Email: aj.glazebrook@qut.edu.au

Abstract

Objective: To examine benefit-finding processes in families

raising children with chronic food hypersensitivity and

provide practical advice for practitioners and families.

Background: The existing literature primarily describes

benefits individuals identify from adversity. This study

addresses a literature gap by examining processes facilitat-

ing benefit-finding within families.

Method: This was a multicenter classical grounded theory

study comparing benefit-finding processes through analy-

sis of semistructured interviews with 11 families (48 nuclear

family members).

Results: Three main benefit-finding processes were identi-

fied, forming a hierarchical benefit-finding process model:

It Could Be Worse (benefit-finding); Silver Lining (benefit-

reminding generating positive affect); Action Advantage (ben-

efit-reminding generating advantageous behavior change).

Enhanced family functioning and well-being was observed

with Action Advantage. Parental training facilitated Action

Advantage. Parental role-modeling and reinforcement trans-

ferred benefit-finding processes among family members, pro-

ducing a shared family process.

Conclusions: Training parents to model Action Advantage

benefit-finding and implementing Family Management

Plans addressing biopsychosocial well-being of all family

members is recommended. Evidence suggests such actions

may enhance family functioning, cohesive relationships,

and well-being.

Implications: Translatable findings advance theory and

may facilitate benefit-finding process assessment instru-

ments, interventions, and teachable strategies for practi-

tioners and researchers supporting families raising children

with chronic food hypersensitivity.

Received: 17 December 2020Revised: 21 May 2021Accepted: 15 August 2021

DOI: 10.1111/fare.12648

© 2022 National Council on Family Relations.

Family Relations. 2022;71:707–723.wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/fare 707

KEYWORDS

benefit-finding, coping, family, food allergy, food intolerance, savoring

Children and people living in Western industrialized countries experience the highest, most rap-

idly increasing rates of food hypersensitivity in the world (Sicherer & Sampson, 2018; Singh

et al., 2018; Tang & Mullins, 2017; Wang et al., 2019). Food hypersensitivity is defined as food

intolerance (body chemical disturbance), food allergy including anaphylaxis (immune response),

and celiac disease (autoimmune response). The estimated global population prevalence is 10%

for food allergy (Sicherer & Sampson, 2018), 1.4% for celiac disease (Singh et al., 2018), and

even higher undetermined rates of food intolerance. Food intolerance remains difficult to

measure due to debate around diagnosis (Sicherer & Sampson, 2018).

Adverse food reactions pose serious threat to the life and well-being of individuals with food

hypersensitivity (Cummings et al., 2010). Because there is no known cure, constant vigilance to

avoid known trigger foods is essential (Sicherer & Sampson, 2018). Evidence suggests the con-

stant threat and emotional burden of raising children with food hypersensitivity weighs heavily

on the psychological well-being of all family members (Broome-Stone, 2012; Chooniedass

et al., 2020; Cummings et al., 2010; Knibb & Semper, 2013; Marklund et al., 2007). Similar to

other unpredictable, chronic childhood conditions (Bellin & Kovacs, 2006), such as diabetes

(Pierce et al., 2019), disabilities (McConnell et al., 2014), autism (Lovell & Wetherell, 2020),

and cancer (Willard et al., 2016), research shows that psychosocial management is as essential

as physical management when raising a child with food hypersensitivity (Chooniedass

et al., 2020; DunnGalvin et al., 2009). If improperly managed, food hypersensitivity and the

associated restrictive diet, social limitations, and psychological burden can contribute to a

breakdown of family relationships and support systems (Cummings et al., 2010; Valentine &

Knibb, 2011). Despite the growing number of families raising children with food hypersensitiv-

ity, research on how practitioners best support the family unit and the psychological response

of each family member remains limited (Chooniedass et al., 2020).

IMPACT ON FAMILY MEMBERS

Within the family unit, mothers of children with food hypersensitivity have repeatedly been

found to perceive and endure the highest psychological impact of all family members (see,

e.g., Cummings et al., 2010; Mandell et al., 2005). Mothers absorb much more of the psycho-

logical impact compared with other family members because they are primarily responsible for

managing the food hypersensitivity (Cummings et al., 2010), buying and preparing food,

reading labels, and making decisions regarding food safety (King et al., 2009).

Rather than sharing dual responsibility, fathers often occupy a helping role (Cummings

et al., 2010; Mandell et al., 2005), resulting in reduced attendance at health appointments, lower

vigilance, and reduced knowledge of managing food hypersensitivity (e.g., Mandell

et al., 2005). This affords fathers a buffer against negative psychological impacts by removing

some of the psychological burden (Cummings et al., 2010; Mandell et al., 2005). However,

when fathers do play a more involved role, their increased involvement improves howwell

mothers cope and has been suggested to result in improved quality of life for the family unit

(Hoehn et al., 2017).

Psychological impacts on children with food hypersensitivity change with increasing matu-

rity. Young children experience little quality of life impact because they tend to be psychologi-

cally shielded by parental care (Valentine & Knibb, 2011). As children mature, they begin to

realize that neither they nor their parents can provide total protection from exposure

(DunnGalvin et al., 2009). Around the age of 12 or 13, increased knowledge and

708 FAMILY RELATIONS