You Can’t Hold Their Hand the Whole Time: A Qualitative Study of Parents’ Experiences of Adolescents With Food Allergy

• DOI: 10.1111/jan.17002
• Publication Date: 2025-05-27T13:23:24Z
• Authors: Meg O’ Sullivan; Rachel Flynn; James O’ Mahony; Juan Trujillo; Margaret Curtin

ABSTRACT Aims To explore parents’ experiences of parenting adolescents with food allergies. Design An interpretive descriptive qualitative study. Methods Semi‐structured interviews were conducted between November 2023 and March 2024 11 parents allergies aged 12–16 years, 8 mothers 3 fathers. Reflexive thematic analysis was conducted. Results Three themes generated: (1) Impact on everyday life, which concerns having to ‘always be alert’, restriction as a family mitigating feelings difference in their child, (2) ‘handing over the reins,’ describes role process transition, including trusting considering new adolescent socialising behaviours such alcohol intimate relationships, ‘letting go' some responsibility, (3) learning, details common misconceptions that still have lessons learned from anaphylaxis tragedies media. Conclusion This study adds substantial knowledge about parental experience allergy, specific adolescents. Parents endure constant worry for heightened at critical times, transition period adolescence. need guidance support healthcare professionals this crucial time change. Further education is needed gaps remain even advanced stage parent's allergy journey. Throughout narrative, there an undercurrent anxiety, periods anxiety illustrated each theme. Implications Profession Patient Care The topic parents' should introduced by professionals. Future work focus creating learning resources families cover areas concern identified. Accessible without background particularly concerning management. Reporting Method Thematic Analysis Guidelines used guide reporting. or Public Contribution No Contribution.