Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
TURKISH JOURNAL OF PHYSIOTHERAPY REHABILITATION-TURK FIZYOTERAPI VE REHABILITASYON DERGISI, cilt.24, sa.1, ss.54-63, 2013 (ESCI)
Purpose: In this study, the differences in psychological status of the parents of children with moderate disability, associated with neuromuscular diseases (ND), were determined. Methods: The parents of 35 children, who had ND, were included in the study. The mother was the primary caregiver in all cases. The Wee-Functional Independence Measurement (Wee-FIM) was used to evaluate the dependence of children. Parents' anxiety, depression and Health Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) levels were assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP). Results: Mothers' trait anxiety levels were higher than fathers. State anxiety levels were similar between two groups (p> 0.05). Mothers' had worse HRQOL, and they were more depressive (p< 0.05). Mothers' HRQOL was correlated with the time spent with the child, BDI and trait anxiety scores of mothers, age and education status of mothers and the FIM score of the children (p< 0.05). Fathers' HRQOL was correlated with time spent with the child, BDI and state anxiety scores of fathers (p< 0.05). Fathers of sons had worse HRQOL, than fathers of daughters (p< 0.05). Conclusion: Mothers and fathers of children with ND presented several differences with respect to the impact of their caregiving role on psychological status. The vulnerable fathers as well as mothers should be identified, and psychological support should be provided in time. Fathers' active participation in the care may favorably affect the mothers' HRQOL.