Caregiver coping, mental health and child problem behaviours in cystic fibrosis: a cross-sectional study

Understanding caregiver burden with accessing sickle cell care in the Midwest and their perspective on telemedicine

BACKGROUND

Survival for children with sickle cell disease (SCD) has improved significantly. However, patients with SCD still encounter several impediments to accessing adequate healthcare. Rural and medically underserved areas, such as parts of the Midwest, can exacerbate these barriers, separating children with SCD from subspecialists even further. Telemedicine has been a means to close these gaps in care for children with other special healthcare needs, but few studies have discussed how caregivers of children with SCD perceive its use.

METHODS

The objective of this study is to understand the experiences of caregivers of pediatric SCD patients in a geographically diverse area in the Midwest in accessing care, and their perspectives of telemedicine. Caregivers of children with SCD completed an 88-item survey via a secured REDCap link either in-person or via secure text. Descriptive statistics (means, medians, ranges, frequencies) were performed for all responses. Univariate chi square tests were performed to analyze associations, particularly with telemedicine responses.

RESULTS

The survey was completed by 101 caregivers. Nearly 20% of families traveled more than 1 hour to reach the comprehensive SCD center. Other than their SCD provider, caregivers reported their child having at least 2 other healthcare providers. Most barriers caregivers identified were financial or resource based. Almost a quarter of caregivers expressed feeling as though these barriers impacted their and/or their child's mental health. Ease of access to team members, as well as scheduling, were common facilitators of care cited by caregivers. The majority were willing to participate in telemedicine visits, regardless of how far they lived from the SCD center, though many noted aspects requiring adaptation.

CONCLUSION

This cross-sectional study describes barriers to care experienced by caregivers of children with SCD, regardless of proximity to an SCD center, as well as caregiver perceptions of the usefulness and acceptability of telemedicine for SCD care.

The Association Between Caregiver Coping and Youth Clinic Attendance and Health-related Quality of Life in Pediatric Sickle Cell Disease

Caregivers of youth with sickle cell disease (SCD) influence the youth disease management and psychosocial outcomes. Effective caregiver coping is important for improving disease management and outcomes since caregivers often report high disease-related parenting stress. This study characterizes caregiver coping and examines its relation to youth clinic nonattendance and health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Participants were 63 youth with SCD and their caregivers. Caregivers completed the Responses to Stress Questionnaire-SCD module to assess primary control engagement (PCE; attempts to change stressors or reactions to stress), secondary control engagement (SCE; strategies to adapt to stress), and disengagement (avoidance) coping. Youth with SCD completed the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory-SCD module. Medical records were reviewed for the hematology appointment nonattendance rates. Coping factors were significantly different ( F [1.837, 113.924]=86.071, P <0.001); caregivers reported more PCE ( M =2.75, SD =0.66) and SCE ( M =2.78, SD =0.66) than disengagement ( M =1.75, SD =0.54) coping. Responses to short-answer questions corroborated this pattern. Greater caregiver PCE coping was associated with lower youth nonattendance (β=-0.28, P =0.050), and greater caregiver SCE coping was related to higher youth HRQOL (β=0.28, P =0.045). Caregiver coping is related to improved clinic attendance and HRQOL in pediatric SCD. Providers should assess caregiver coping styles and consider encouraging engagement coping.

Psychosocial needs and interventions for young children with cystic fibrosis and their families

This review summarises the experiences of young children and their families living with CF during the first five years of life following NBS diagnosis, as well as the options of psychosocial support available to them. We present strategies embedded within routine CF care that focus on prevention, screening, and intervention for psychosocial health and wellbeing that constitute essential components of multidisciplinary care in infancy and early childhood.

Decision Tree Algorithm-Based Prediction of Vulnerability to Depressive and Anxiety Symptoms in Caregivers of Children With Glaucoma

PURPOSE

Development and validation of a decision tree model (DTM) for prediction of mental health status in Korean caregivers of children with glaucoma.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

METHODS

Caregivers of children younger than 18 years with diagnosed primary childhood glaucoma (n = 42), secondary childhood glaucoma (n = 51), and glaucoma suspect (GS; n = 36) were prospectively enrolled at Seoul National University Children's Hospital, Seoul, Korea. The participants completed 2 questionnaires, the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) Assessment. A DTM analysis for discrimination of those with moderate-to-severe depressive (PHQ-9 score ≥10) and anxiety (GAD-7 score ≥11) symptoms was performed with recursive partitioning algorithms based on the obtained clinical, demographic, and socioeconomic data.

RESULTS

The mean PHQ-9 and GAD-7 scores did not significantly differ among the 3 groups (P = .823 for PHQ-9 score; P = .730 for GAD-7 score). The DTM's balanced accuracies were 0.875 (95% CI = 0.778-0.972) for the PHQ-9 score and 0.880 (95% CI = 0.800-0.960) for theGAD-7 score. The DTM of the PHQ-9 revealed that in caregivers of children with glaucoma, depressive symptoms should be strongly suspected when (1) the child has undergone more than 2 glaucoma surgeries; or (2) the visual acuity (VA, converted to logarithm of minimum angle of resolution [logMAR]) in the better eye is worse than 0.4 if the child has had only 1 or no surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Evaluation of the number of glaucoma surgeries and VA in the better eye can be a useful decision support tool in predicting mental illness in caregivers of children with glaucoma.

Caregiver experiences with accessing sickle cell care and the use of telemedicine

BACKGROUND

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is associated with a wide range of complications. However, a multitude of barriers prevent SCD patients from receiving adequate healthcare, including difficulties with transportation and lack of provider knowledge about disease sequelae. Importantly, studies have demonstrated the benefits of telemedicine in addressing barriers to healthcare. While previous studies have identified barriers to care through quantitative methods, few studies have explored barriers which affect the pediatric SCD patient population in the Midwest, wherein the geographical landscape can prohibit healthcare access. Furthermore, few studies have established acceptability of telemedicine among caregivers and patients with SCD.

METHODS

This study aims to increase understanding of barriers to care and perceptions of telemedicine by caregivers of pediatric SCD patients in a medically under-resourced area in the Midwest. Researchers conducted semi-structured interviews with caregivers of children with SCD. The interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed. Thematic analyses were performed.

RESULTS

Researchers interviewed 16 caregivers of 15 children with SCD. Thematic analyses of the interview transcripts revealed four broad themes regarding caregiver burden/stress, both facilitators and barriers to SCD healthcare, and general thoughts on the acceptability/usefulness of telemedicine.

CONCLUSION

This qualitative study describes common burdens faced by caregivers of SCD, barriers to and facilitators of SCD care in the Midwest, and caregiver perceptions of the usefulness and efficacy of telemedicine for SCD care.

The Lived Experience of Jordanian Parents of Children with Cystic Fibrosis: Qualitative Study

BACKGROUND

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a common autosomal recessive disease with an incidence of 1:2560 live births in Jordan. It affects the quality of life for both the child and the parents. In Jordan knowledge about parents' experience with children diagnosed with CF is limited.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to describe and explore the lived experience of parents of children with CF, and the difficulties and challenges they face.

DESIGN AND METHOD

A qualitative phenomenological method was used. Twenty-five parents of children with CF were interviewed. The Scribber thematic analysis was used in data analysis.

RESULTS

Four themes emerged. First, "Falling into the circle of suffering", Second, "The circle of suffering", with two sub-themes: the challenges, and the limitations in daily life. Third, "Coping within the circle of suffering", with four sub-themes: focus on problems, focus on emotions, social and economic factors, and spirituality. Fourth, "Future outlook", with two sub-themes: optimism about the future, and pessimism about the future.

CONCLUSION

Parents of children with CF suffer from difficulties and challenges that limit their daily lives.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Education is needed for health care providers, society and parents about CF; and parents need support to improve their quality of life.

Avoidant coping as mediator of the relationship between rumination and mental health among family caregivers of Chinese breast cancer patients

INTRODUCTION

Family caregivers of cancer patients were often referred to the 'forgotten patients', yet little researches have been conducted on their mental health. Rumination might put family caregivers at risk for psychological distress during the caregiving, such as stress and anxiety. The aim of the present study was to explore the relationship between rumination, stress and anxiety among family caregivers of breast cancer patients in China and examine the mediating role of avoidant coping in this relationship.

METHODS

Face-to-face questionnaire interviews were conducted with a sample of 99 caregivers from the public oncology hospital. They were assessed with stress, anxiety, rumination and avoidant coping by Chinese Perceived Stress Scale, Zung's Self-Rating Anxiety Scale, Ruminative Responses Scale and Coping Strategy Indicator. Structural equation modelling was applied to assess the mediation analysis.

RESULTS

The reporting scores of participants indicated the incidence of anxiety was 17.2%. Rumination could directly predict stress (β = 0.58, p < 0.01) and anxiety (β = 0.46, p < 0.01) and also predict stress and anxiety via the mediator of avoidant coping (stress: β = 0.087, p < 0.01; anxiety: β = 0.109, p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

The important role played by family caregivers in supporting breast cancer patients is well recognised. The findings suggested that rumination and avoidant coping may be two critical risk factors for family caregivers of breast cancer developing stress and anxiety. This study highlights the importance of preventing avoidant coping, which plays a critical role for developing interventions for this vulnerable group.

Mental health history and social barriers impacting caregivers of infants with cystic fibrosis

OBJECTIVES

Caregivers of infants with cystic fibrosis (CF) carry a heavy treatment burden for their child along with the inherent difficulties of raising an infant. This study investigated the impact of self-reported caregiver mental health diagnoses and social barriers during the 1st year of life on clinical outcomes.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review was conducted for infants seen in a large tertiary hospital CF clinic over a 5-year period. Baseline characteristics were collected, and documentation from physician and social work notes were reviewed. Demographics and clinical characteristics were compared by the presence or absence of self-reported mental health diagnoses, social barriers, and "emotional concern."

RESULTS

Analyses were conducted on 71 patients. Thirty-five percent of caregivers disclosed mental health diagnoses, 52% identified social barriers to care, and 55% reported feeling upset or fatigued. Having a caregiver with a self-reported mental health diagnosis was associated with tobacco smoke exposure (p < .001) and increased odds of hospitalizations (odds ratio [OR], 3.01; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.49-6.06), emergency department/urgent care visits (OR, 3.17; 95% CI, 1.32-7.64), and longer lengths of stay (OR, 1.93; 95% CI, 1.69-2.20). Caregivers who expressed emotional concern had infants with significantly lower weight-for-length percentiles (p = .012).

DISCUSSION

Caregiver mental health and social barriers to care are important determinants to address as they may impact clinical outcomes in infants with CF. Identifying barriers and struggles early increases the likelihood that clinical teams can intervene and provide support. Further research into mental health and socioeconomic barriers faced by caregivers of infants with CF is crucial.

Psychiatric and general health effects of COVID-19 pandemic on children with chronic lung disease and parents' coping styles

BACKGROUND

We aim to assess the anxiety and depressive symptoms related to the COVID-19 pandemic in children with chronic lung disease and their parents and also to evaluate parents' coping strategies.

METHODS

Parents of children aged 4-18 years, with chronic lung disease (study group n = 113) and healthy control (n = 108) were enrolled in the study. General Health Questionnaire-12, specific COVID-19 related anxiety questions, The Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced inventory, coronavirus-related psychiatric symptom scale in children-parental form were used to analyze the psychiatric effects of COVID-19. Parents were also asked about how online education affected their family life and children. All data were compared between children/parents in the study and control groups. Risk factors related with anxiety scores of children were also analyzed.

RESULTS

Talking about the pandemic, concern about coronavirus transmission, taking precaution to prevent coronavirus transmission, making pressure to protect from COVID-19 were significantly higher in parents within the study group (p < .05). Parents in the study group used more problem-focused coping than parents in the control group (p = .003). Anxiety symptoms score was higher in children of the study group (p = .007). Parents in the study group found online education more useful than parents in the control group.

CONCLUSION

Children with chronic lung diseases and their parents have more anxiety due to COVID-19 pandemic and these parents use more mature coping strategies to manage the stress of the pandemic. Longitudinal and larger studies should be done in all aspects of online education in children with chronic lung diseases.

Association between caregivers' coping and children's psychiatric symptoms in the heart transplantation process: A pilot study

Our aim was to investigate whether there is an association between caregivers' coping and children's psychiatric symptoms and quality of life in adolescent heart transplant (HTx) recipients and HTx candidates with left ventricular assist device (LVAD). Fourteen patients were recruited for this pilot study (HTx (n = 8), LVAD (n = 6)). Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School Aged Children, Present and Lifetime Version (K-SADS) was administered to detect the psychiatric diagnosis of patients. Children's Depression Inventory (CDI), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) were completed by adolescents; Brief Coping Styles Inventory by their caregivers. Six of the participants had an internalizing disorder. Optimistic coping strategy score was significantly higher in the caregivers of adolescents without an internalizing disorder than caregivers of those with an internalizing disorder (U = 2.500, P = .005). Utilizing Spearman's correlation, caregivers' optimistic approach (rho = -0.736, P = .004), and self-confident approach (rho = -0.634, P = .020) had significant negative correlations with children's CDI scores. Moreover, caregivers' optimistic approach score had a significant positive correlation with children's PedsQL score (rho = 0.563, P = .045). According to our preliminary results, it seems that caregivers' optimistic and self-confident coping strategies may be associated with fewer internalizing symptoms and a better quality of life in adolescents in the HTx process. A future multicentered longitudinal study will be planned to assess the effect of caregivers' coping strategies on the psychological adjustment of these children.

Impact of Cystic Fibrosis on Unaffected Siblings: A Systematic Review

OBJECTIVE

To conduct a systematic review of the evidence to determine the impact of cystic fibrosis (CF) on unaffected siblings.

STUDY DESIGN

We searched MEDLINE (Ovid interface, from 1946); EMBASE (Ovid interface, from 1946); CINAHL (EBSCO interface); Academic Search Complete (EBSCO interface); Psych Info (EBSCO interface); ProQuest Theses' and Dissertation's (ProQuest); British Index of Nursing (ProQuest); Web of Science (ISI, Web of Knowledge portal); PubMed (PubMed NCBI); BASE (Bielefeld Academic Research Engine); Scopus; EThOS (e-theses online service); Open Grey; and Cochrane Library. Contents pages of the Journal of Cystic Fibrosis, June 2002-April 2017 were hand searched to identify further eligible studies. Reference lists of eligible articles and relevant review papers were screened. Inclusion criteria were full studies published after 1989 in English focusing on the impact of cystic fibrosis on unaffected siblings.

RESULTS

In total, 13 papers, 4 PhD theses and 1 MSc thesis were included in the review. Four themes were identified; family functioning, psychosocial impact, knowledge of CF, and condition-specific differences.

CONCLUSIONS

Most studies are old and may not accurately represent the impact of CF on unaffected siblings following changes to health care provision including newborn bloodspot screening and the advent of CF transmembrane regulator modulator therapies. Further work is needed directly with siblings rather than using mothers as proxies to determine effect of age, sex, and disease trajectory on unaffected siblings' experiences.

Factors associated with anxiety in family caregivers of children with chronic diseases

BACKGROUND

Currently, information on factors associated with anxiety in family caregivers of children with chronic diseases is unavailable, indicating a significant gap in the literature. Therefore, this study aims to identify the psychosocial and sociodemographic variables associated with anxiety in family caregivers of children with chronic diseases.

METHODS

In 2018, a nonprobability sample of 446 family caregivers was recruited at the National Institute of Health in Mexico City. The participants completed a sociodemographic variable questionnaire, clinical questions, and 18 psychosocial assessment scales, including a scale to assess family caregiver anxiety.

RESULTS

Family caregiver anxiety was correlated with almost all psychosocial variables and one out of three clinical variables but with none of the sociodemographic variables. Furthermore, a multiple linear regression model with five psychosocial variables was established to predict family caregiver anxiety.

CONCLUSIONS

Some psychosocial variables have effects on caregiver anxiety that are relevant for interventions. Clinical interventions should be implemented based on the psychosocial variables associated with family caregiver anxiety.