The Food Allergy Parent Mentoring Program: A Pilot Intervention

Abstract

Abstract Objective  Parents of young children with newly diagnosed food allergy (FA) are at risk for poor psychosocial outcomes due to FA’s life-threatening nature and demanding management routines. Presently, there are no interventions to support FA parents during this adjustment phase. This single-arm pilot study explores the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of a novel intervention using peer mentorship to improve psychosocial functioning in parents of young children with newly diagnosed FA. Methods  Parent mentors were trained in mentorship and ethics and then matched with a mentee for a 6-month intervention period. Mentees, parents of children (under age 5 years) diagnosed with FA within 1 year, completed baseline and follow-up questionnaires to assess demographic and medical characteristics, FA knowledge, quality of life, self-efficacy, and social support and a program evaluation. Follow-up focus groups with mentors and individual interviews with mentees were conducted. Results  Participants were 8 mentors and 10 mentees (Mage = 36.60 years, 80% Caucasian) of children ages 0–3 years (Mage = 16.15 months; 60% male). Mentees reported high acceptability for the intervention in program evaluation and interviews, noting improvements in their social support, FA-related stress, confidence in FA management, and positive changes in FA parenting behaviors. Conclusion  This study supports the use of a peer mentorship program to support parents of children with newly diagnosed FA. Future research is needed to determine how to scale this intervention to meet the needs of a large medical division.