AIM: To examine the relationship between maternal mental health problems and the time required by mothers to care for children with cerebral palsy (CP). METHOD: Cross-sectional study of 158 mothers of children with cerebral palsy (98 males, 60 females; mean age 11y 3mo, range 6-17y). Gross Motor Function Classification System levels of the children were 37% level I, 20% level II, 9% level III, 12% level IV, and 22% level V. Manual Ability Classification System levels were 19% level I, 27% level II, 22% level III, 13% level IV, and 19% level V. Maternal mental health problems were assessed using the General Health Questionnaire. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale. A time-diary was used to measure caregiving time. Experience of time pressure was assessed using the Time Crunch Scale. RESULTS: On average, mothers spent 6.0 hours per 24 hours on weekdays and 8.3 hours per 24 hours on weekends caring for children with CP. There was a significant positive relationship between maternal psychological problems and both caregiving time required per 24 hours (p = 0.03) and mothers' experience of time pressure (p < 0.001). There was also a significant positive association between maternal depressive symptoms and experience of time pressure (p = 0.003). INTERPRETATION: It is important to support mothers to find ways of reducing the real and perceived impact of caregiving. This might include identifying sources of 'respite' support for caregivers, training in stress and time management, and appropriate treatment of mental health problems.
AIM: To examine the relationship between maternal mental health problems and the time required by mothers to care for children with cerebral palsy (CP). METHOD: Cross-sectional study of 158 mothers of children with cerebral palsy (98 males, 60 females; mean age 11y 3mo, range 6-17y). Gross Motor Function Classification System levels of the children were 37% level I, 20% level II, 9% level III, 12% level IV, and 22% level V. Manual Ability Classification System levels were 19% level I, 27% level II, 22% level III, 13% level IV, and 19% level V. Maternal mental health problems were assessed using the General Health Questionnaire. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale. A time-diary was used to measure caregiving time. Experience of time pressure was assessed using the Time Crunch Scale. RESULTS: On average, mothers spent 6.0 hours per 24 hours on weekdays and 8.3 hours per 24 hours on weekends caring for children with CP. There was a significant positive relationship between maternal psychological problems and both caregiving time required per 24 hours (p = 0.03) and mothers' experience of time pressure (p < 0.001). There was also a significant positive association between maternal depressive symptoms and experience of time pressure (p = 0.003). INTERPRETATION: It is important to support mothers to find ways of reducing the real and perceived impact of caregiving. This might include identifying sources of 'respite' support for caregivers, training in stress and time management, and appropriate treatment of mental health problems.
Authors: Joёlle Castellani; Omari Kimbute; Charles Makasi; Zakayo E Mrango; Aggie T G Paulus; Silvia M A A Evers; Pip Hardy; Tony Sumner; Augusta Keiya; Borislava Mihaylova; Mohammad Abul Faiz; Melba Gomes Journal: J Dev Phys Disabil Date: 2021-10-02
Authors: Van Mô Dang; Allan Colver; Heather O Dickinson; Marco Marcelli; Susan I Michelsen; Jackie Parkes; Kathryn Parkinson; Marion Rapp; Catherine Arnaud; Malin Nystrand; Jérôme Fauconnier Journal: Res Dev Disabil Date: 2014-11-14
Authors: Kelvin Ying; Hans Van Rostenberghe; Garry Kuan; Mohammad Haris Amirul Mohd Yusoff; Siti Hawa Ali; Nik Soriani Yaacob Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-02-28 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Barbara Gugała; Beata Penar-Zadarko; Danuta Pięciak-Kotlarz; Katarzyna Wardak; Aneta Lewicka-Chomont; Magdalena Futyma-Ziaja; Józef Opara Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2019-10-29 Impact factor: 3.390