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Changes in Coping Strategies of Parents and Girls with Central Precocious Puberty Before and After the COVID-19 Lockdown: Data from Four Italian Pediatric Endocrinology Centers

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  • Maria E. Street

    (Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43121 Parma, Italy
    Unit of Paediatrics, P. Barilla Children’s Hospital, University Hospital of Parma, 43121 Parma, Italy)

  • Anna-Mariia Shulhai

    (Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43121 Parma, Italy)

  • Dolores Rollo

    (Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43121 Parma, Italy)

  • Maurizio Rossi

    (Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43121 Parma, Italy)

  • Maddalena Petraroli

    (Unit of Paediatrics, P. Barilla Children’s Hospital, University Hospital of Parma, 43121 Parma, Italy)

  • Vittorio Ferrari

    (Pediatric Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
    Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy)

  • Giulia Del Medico

    (Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy)

  • Patrizia Bruzzi

    (Pediatric Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences for Mother Children and Adults, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41124 Modena, Italy)

  • Beatrice Righi

    (Unit of Paediatrics, AUSL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42122 Reggio Emilia, Italy)

  • Chiara Sartori

    (Unit of Paediatrics, AUSL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 42122 Reggio Emilia, Italy)

  • Lorenzo Iughetti

    (Pediatric Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences for Mother Children and Adults, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41124 Modena, Italy)

  • Stefano Stagi

    (Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy
    Meyer Children’s Hospital IRCCS, 50139 Florence, Italy)

Abstract

The increased stress during the COVID-19 pandemic may have influenced the coping strategies used by children and parents who adapted to a diagnosis of central precocious puberty (CPP). This study aimed to explore whether the coping mechanisms of parents and their daughters diagnosed with CPP differed before and after the COVID-19 lockdown and if certain factors could be associated with these mechanisms. Specific questionnaires were completed by 174/524 girls with CPP enrolled at four different pediatric endocrinology centers in Italy. All girls filled in the questionnaire about the Children’s Coping Strategies (CCSs), and their parents completed the Coping Orientation to the Problems Experienced (COPE-NVI-25) questionnaire. Cronbach’s test was performed to check the reliability of answers. Despite increased stress-related coping behaviors among girls with CPP after the lockdown, parents presented more functional coping behaviors related to problem-solving strategies and seeking social support. After the lockdown, children showed stronger associations with their parents’ adaptive strategies, emphasizing the important role of parental behaviors in shaping the responses of children to stressful events. Additionally, coping strategies were found to differ by country of origin: families of non-Italian origin showed a greater reliance on transcendence, while girls from these families had lower avoidance scores, suggesting the use of alternative adaptive strategies in stressful situations.

Suggested Citation

  • Maria E. Street & Anna-Mariia Shulhai & Dolores Rollo & Maurizio Rossi & Maddalena Petraroli & Vittorio Ferrari & Giulia Del Medico & Patrizia Bruzzi & Beatrice Righi & Chiara Sartori & Lorenzo Iughet, 2025. "Changes in Coping Strategies of Parents and Girls with Central Precocious Puberty Before and After the COVID-19 Lockdown: Data from Four Italian Pediatric Endocrinology Centers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 22(7), pages 1-14, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:22:y:2025:i:7:p:981-:d:1684429
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Nicolò M. Iannello & Cristiano Inguglia & Fabiola Silletti & Paolo Albiero & Rosalinda Cassibba & Alida Lo Coco & Pasquale Musso, 2022. "How Do Religiosity and Spirituality Associate with Health-Related Outcomes of Adolescents with Chronic Illnesses? A Scoping Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-18, October.
    2. Anna Rita Graziani & Lucia Botindari & Michela Menegatti & Silvia Moscatelli, 2023. "Adaptive Coping Strategies at the Time of COVID-19: The Role of Social and General Trust," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(15), pages 1-19, August.
    3. Tara Powell & Kate M. Wegmann & Emily Backode, 2021. "Coping and Post-Traumatic Stress in Children and Adolescents after an Acute Onset Disaster: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-18, May.
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