A study to systematically understand anxieties faced by elementary school teachers when dealing with children with food allergies and to examine its influencing factors
2017 Volume 31 Issue 3 Pages 268-279
Details
2017 Volume 31 Issue 3 Pages 268-279
Objective : This study was conducted to systematically understand anxieties faced by elementary school teachers when dealing with children with food allergies and to examine its influencing factors.
Method : Questionnaires were distributed at public elementary schools throughout Kanagawa Prefecture and 498 responses were received. Exploratory factor analysis was used for systematic understanding and logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the influencing factors.
Results : Teachers’ “anxiety regarding dealing with children with food allergies” consisted of the following five factors : “anxiety regarding children with food allergies exhibiting allergic symptoms”, “anxiety regarding the response system and educational arrangements for children with food allergies”, “anxiety regarding managing children with food allergies”, “anxiety regarding using an EpiPen®” and “anxiety regarding emotional aspects of children with food allergies”. The analysis of influencing factors revealed strong anxieties expressed by homeroom teachers and non-homeroom teachers, and suggested that knowledge related to food allergies and methods for handling children with food allergies may assist in easing these anxieties.
Conclusion : Consideration must be given to training programs and support systems that take into account the multifaceted anxieties faced by teachers, especially focusing on enforcing supports for teachers with strong anxieties who are directly involved with food allergy children.
