Levent Eker1, Emine Handan Tüzün. 1. Mother and Child Health Care and Family Planning General Directorate, Ministry of Health, Ankara, Turkey. levent@saglik.gov.tr
Abstract
PURPOSE: To evaluate the quality of life of mothers with children suffering from cerebral palsy compared with those who have children with minor health problems. METHOD: Forty mothers with a child suffering from cerebral palsy and 44 mothers with a child suffering from minor health problems participated in a comparative study. The Turkish version of the Medical Outcomes 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) was used to assess a mother's quality of life. The severity of a child's motor disability was assessed using the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS). RESULTS: With the exception of the SF-36 physical functioning subscale, the mean scores on the SF-36 subscales were significantly lower in mothers of children with CP than those of the comparison group. The quality of life scores of mothers were significantly correlated with the severity of a child's motor disability (except physical functioning subscale). Significant correlations were found between GMFCS and the role physical; vitality; role emotional; and mental health subscales of the SF-36. CONCLUSIONS: The quality of life profile of mothers of children with cerebral palsy is different from those who have a child with minor health problems. Different coping strategies and psychosocial programmes must be designed and implemented to decrease the burden of care.
PURPOSE: To evaluate the quality of life of mothers with children suffering from cerebral palsy compared with those who have children with minor health problems. METHOD: Forty mothers with a child suffering from cerebral palsy and 44 mothers with a child suffering from minor health problems participated in a comparative study. The Turkish version of the Medical Outcomes 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) was used to assess a mother's quality of life. The severity of a child's motor disability was assessed using the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS). RESULTS: With the exception of the SF-36 physical functioning subscale, the mean scores on the SF-36 subscales were significantly lower in mothers of children with CP than those of the comparison group. The quality of life scores of mothers were significantly correlated with the severity of a child's motor disability (except physical functioning subscale). Significant correlations were found between GMFCS and the role physical; vitality; role emotional; and mental health subscales of the SF-36. CONCLUSIONS: The quality of life profile of mothers of children with cerebral palsy is different from those who have a child with minor health problems. Different coping strategies and psychosocial programmes must be designed and implemented to decrease the burden of care.
Authors: Joslin Alexei Dogbe; Joana D A Kyeremateng; Maxwell Peprah Opoku; William Nketsia; Charles Hammond Journal: Int J Dev Disabil Date: 2019-02-10
Authors: John T Killian; Jane B Lane; Hye-Seung Lee; James H Pelham; Steve A Skinner; Walter E Kaufmann; Daniel G Glaze; Jeffrey L Neul; Alan K Percy Journal: Pediatr Neurol Date: 2016-01-11 Impact factor: 3.372