The Health and Well-Being of Caregivers of Technologically Dependent Children

Overview

Journal Glob Pediatr Health

Specialty Pediatrics

Date 2019 Feb 6

PMID 30719496

Citations 12

Authors

Yoke Hwee Chan

Carmen Zhi-Ruo Lim

Dianne Bautista

Rahul Malhotra

Truls Ostbye

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Caregivers of technology-dependent children face considerable responsibilities. This study examined the association of 2 child-related stressors-functional status and use of mechanical ventilator-with 2 domains of family caregiver well-being-depressive symptoms (Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale [CES-D]) and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and family function (PedsQL Family Impact Module). The secondary objective was to determine whether these associations were moderated by caregiver-perceived social support. Structured interviews were conducted with 88 primary family caregivers of technology-dependent children in Singapore. Hierarchical multiple regression was used to assess the primary and secondary objectives. A total of 44.3% of caregivers were at high risk of clinical depression. Moderately poor child functional status was associated with more caregiver depressive symptoms. Perceived social support moderated this association. Family caregivers of technology-dependent children have high levels of depressive symptoms and relatively poor HRQOL and family functioning. Enhancing caregivers' social support is important for their well-being.

Citing Articles

Lived Experience of Parents with Technology-Dependent Children: A Phenomenological Study.

Lemos S, Andrade L, Lima L, Fernandez-Medina I, Ceu Aguiar Barbieri-Figueiredo M Glob Qual Nurs Res. 2024; 11:23333936241288858.

PMID: 39553195 PMC: 11565618. DOI: 10.1177/23333936241288858.

The Association between Healthcare Satisfaction and Social Support and Stress, Depression, and Life Satisfaction in Female Caregivers: The Moderating Role of Dependence of a Sick Child.

Pavic J, Krznar M, cukljek S, Sedic B, Ozimec Vulinec S, Kovacevic I Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2024; 21(9).

PMID: 39338128 PMC: 11431563. DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21091245.

Mapping health-related quality of life of children and families receiving pediatric invasive home mechanical ventilation: a scoping review protocol.

Makinde K, Mitchell M, Merz A, Youssef M Syst Rev. 2024; 13(1):236.

PMID: 39289722 PMC: 11409733. DOI: 10.1186/s13643-024-02658-2.

Predictors of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) for caregivers of children with developmental disabilities in Saudi Arabia: An observational study.

Alghamdi M, Awali A Medicine (Baltimore). 2024; 103(32):e39206.

PMID: 39121252 PMC: 11315497. DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000039206.

Mental health of parents of children and adolescents who require special health care.

Nonose E, Silva R, Neves E, Mello D, Zilly A, Okido A Rev Bras Enferm. 2024; 77(3):e20230457.

PMID: 39082548 PMC: 11290732. DOI: 10.1590/0034-7167-2023-0457.

References

Kirk S, Glendinning C, Callery P . Parent or nurse? The experience of being the parent of a technology-dependent child. J Adv Nurs. 2005; 51(5):456-64. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2648.2005.03522.x. View

Stahl D, Sum C, Lum S, Liow P, Chan Y, Verma S . Screening for depressive symptoms: validation of the center for epidemiologic studies depression scale (CES-D) in a multiethnic group of patients with diabetes in Singapore. Diabetes Care. 2008; 31(6):1118-9. DOI: 10.2337/dc07-2019. View

Ergh T, Rapport L, Coleman R, Hanks R . Predictors of caregiver and family functioning following traumatic brain injury: social support moderates caregiver distress. J Head Trauma Rehabil. 2002; 17(2):155-74. DOI: 10.1097/00001199-200204000-00006. View

Bemister T, Brooks B, Dyck R, Kirton A . Predictors of caregiver depression and family functioning after perinatal stroke. BMC Pediatr. 2015; 15:75. PMC: 4502550. DOI: 10.1186/s12887-015-0397-5. View

Wild D, Grove A, Martin M, Eremenco S, McElroy S, Verjee-Lorenz A . Principles of Good Practice for the Translation and Cultural Adaptation Process for Patient-Reported Outcomes (PRO) Measures: report of the ISPOR Task Force for Translation and Cultural Adaptation. Value Health. 2005; 8(2):94-104. DOI: 10.1111/j.1524-4733.2005.04054.x. View

Kuster P, Badr L . Mental health of mothers caring for ventilator-assisted children at home. Issues Ment Health Nurs. 2006; 27(8):817-35. DOI: 10.1080/01612840600840588. View

Zhang Y, Ting R, Lam M, Lam S, Yeung R, Nan H . Measuring depression with CES-D in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes: the validity and its comparison to PHQ-9. BMC Psychiatry. 2015; 15:198. PMC: 4538746. DOI: 10.1186/s12888-015-0580-0. View

Murphy N, Christian B, Caplin D, Young P . The health of caregivers for children with disabilities: caregiver perspectives. Child Care Health Dev. 2007; 33(2):180-7. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2214.2006.00644.x. View

Duby J . Role of the medical home in family-centered early intervention services. Pediatrics. 2007; 120(5):1153-8. DOI: 10.1542/peds.2007-2638. View

10.

Wang K, Barnard A . Technology-dependent children and their families: a review. J Adv Nurs. 2003; 45(1):36-46. DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2648.2003.02858.x. View

11.

Caicedo C . Families with special needs children: family health, functioning, and care burden. J Am Psychiatr Nurses Assoc. 2014; 20(6):398-407. DOI: 10.1177/1078390314561326. View

12.

Manuel J, Naughton M, Balkrishnan R, Smith B, Koman L . Stress and adaptation in mothers of children with cerebral palsy. J Pediatr Psychol. 2003; 28(3):197-201. DOI: 10.1093/jpepsy/jsg007. View

13.

Toly V, Musil C, Carl J . Families with children who are technology dependent: normalization and family functioning. West J Nurs Res. 2010; 34(1):52-71. PMC: 3271785. DOI: 10.1177/0193945910389623. View

14.

Pollack M, Holubkov R, Glass P, Dean J, Meert K, Zimmerman J . Functional Status Scale: new pediatric outcome measure. Pediatrics. 2009; 124(1):e18-28. PMC: 3191069. DOI: 10.1542/peds.2008-1987. View

15.

Plant K, Sanders M . Predictors of care-giver stress in families of preschool-aged children with developmental disabilities. J Intellect Disabil Res. 2007; 51(Pt 2):109-24. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2788.2006.00829.x. View

16.

Carnevale F, Alexander E, Davis M, Rennick J, Troini R . Daily living with distress and enrichment: the moral experience of families with ventilator-assisted children at home. Pediatrics. 2006; 117(1):e48-60. DOI: 10.1542/peds.2005-0789. View

17.

Sander A, High Jr W, Hannay H, Sherer M . Predictors of psychological health in caregivers of patients with closed head injury. Brain Inj. 1997; 11(4):235-49. DOI: 10.1080/026990597123548. View

18.

Douglas S, Daly B . Caregivers of long-term ventilator patients: physical and psychological outcomes. Chest. 2003; 123(4):1073-81. DOI: 10.1378/chest.123.4.1073. View

19.

Ostbye T, Malhotra R, Malhotra C, Arambepola C, Chan A . Does support from foreign domestic workers decrease the negative impact of informal caregiving? Results from Singapore survey on informal caregiving. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. 2013; 68(4):609-21. DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gbt042. View

20.

Rodakowski J, Skidmore E, Rogers J, Schulz R . Does social support impact depression in caregivers of adults ageing with spinal cord injuries?. Clin Rehabil. 2012; 27(6):565-75. PMC: 3660537. DOI: 10.1177/0269215512464503. View