Social isolation in parents of children with hemangiomas: Effects of coping styles and emotional distress
Abstract
This study investigated factors associated with social isolation in parents of childrenwith hemangiomas. Eighty-one parents completed questionnaires assessing theiremotional distress, social isolation, and coping styles. To explore the relationshipsbetween these variables, a path analysis was used to test a model in which clinicalcharacteristics of hemangiomas and parents' coping strategies do not have directeffects on their social isolation but indirect effects via their emotional distress. Boot-strapping was used to assess indirect effects. Time since onset and lesional complica-tions had positive direct effects on parents' social isolation. Lesional visibility andemotion-focused coping had negative indirect effects on parents' social isolation viatheir emotional distress, while problem-focused coping showed a positive indirecteffect. Thesefindings may have implications for clinicians managing parents of chil-dren with hemangiomas