The effect of the Family-Centered Empowerment Model on the quality of life of children with food allergy and parental self-efficacy

Background and Aim: Children with food allergies and their parents require education and support due to the challenges they face. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the effect of implementing the Family-Centered Empowerment Model on the quality of life of children with food allergies and the self-efficacy of their parents. Material and Methods: The randomized controlled experimental study with pre-test and post-test design was conducted between August 2022 and May 2023 at Trakya University Health Research and Application Center, Pediatric Allergy and Immunology Clinic, with 64 parents (training group = 31, control group = 33). Data were collected using a "Descriptive Information Form", the "Food Allergy Self-Efficacy Scale for Parents," and the "Food Allergy Quality of Life-Parental Form." Parents in the training group received the four-step Family-Centered Empowerment Model: 1. step: training session, 2. step: Self-efficacy development, 3. Step: Enhancing self-esteem through participation,4.Step: Evaluation process. The training group completed the pre-test just before the first session and the post-test one month after the fourth step. The control group completed the pre- and post-tests with a one-month interval. Results: It was found that the post-training self-efficacy levels of the parents in the intervention group (87.53±6.94) were significantly higher compared to their pre-training levels (76.06±12.14) (p<0.001). There was no significant difference between the pre-test and post-test self-efficacy levels of the parents in the control group (p=0.318). The post-training quality of life scores of the children in the intervention group (2.31±1.51) were significantly higher compared to their pre-training scores (2.96±1.56) (p=0.004). No significant difference was observed between the pre-test and post-test quality of life scores of the children in the control group (p=0.395). It was also found that as the food allergy self-efficacy levels of the parents in the training group increased after the training, the children's quality of life in the domains of Food Anxiety, Social and Dietary Limitations improved. Conclusion: The self-efficacy levels of the parents in the training group increased after the training in total and in all subscales. The quality of life of the children in the training group also increased in total and in all subscales after the training. The Family-Centered Empowerment Model was found to be effective in improving the quality of life of children with food allergies and the self-efficacy of their parents. It is recommended that the "Family-Centered Empowerment Model" be used in studies involving children with food allergies and their parents. Keywords: Family-centered empowerment model, food allergy, child, self-efficacy, quality of life