The relationship of father parenting capacity variables to perceived uncertainty in youth with a chronic illness

This study examined the relationship between father parenting capacity variables and youth illness uncertainty. Thirty-seven youth (ages 8-18) with a chronic illness and their fathers participated. Fathers completed the Parenting Stress Index-Short Form, the Child Vulnerability Scale, and the Parent Protection Scale, and the youth completed the Children's Uncertainty in Illness Scale. Regression analyses indicated that father-reported parenting stress and child vulnerability was associated with youth-reported illness uncertainty. Paternal overprotection was not related to uncertainty. Results address a gap in the pediatric chronic illness literature, and suggest that the influences of fathers' parenting characteristics are important to understanding youth adjustment to chronic illness.