Knight LS, Ridge B, Staffieri SE, Craig JE, Senthil MP, Souzeau E. The caregiver experience in childhood glaucoma: An interview study.
Ophthalmol Glaucoma 2022;
5:531-543. [PMID:
35151897 DOI:
10.1016/j.ogla.2022.02.005]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Revised: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE
To investigate and report on the quality of life (QoL) issues experienced by caregivers of individuals with childhood glaucoma.
DESIGN
Exploratory qualitative study PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-five caregivers of individuals with childhood glaucoma (defined as disease onset <18 years) recruited from the Australian and New Zealand Registry of Advanced Glaucoma.
METHODS
A qualitative research methodology (interpretive phenomenology) was applied. Data were collected through semi-structured in-depth interviews. NVivo-12 software (QSR International Pty Ltd) was used to inductively analyze, code, and organize data into QoL themes.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
Quality of life themes and their sub-themes.
RESULTS
The mean caregiver age was 50.2 ± 13.6 years and 27/35 (77%) were mothers of an individual with childhood glaucoma. A total of six QoL themes were identified. Coping strategies and emotional well-being were the most prominent themes. Caregivers frequently adopted problem-focused adaptive coping strategies including partner and/or peer support and normalization. A caregivers' psychosocial well-being was often impacted by feelings of guilt and regret regarding their child's delayed diagnosis, fear and anxiety related to medical and social support, and loss of control as their child developed medical autonomy. The effect of family planning from the perspective of the caregiver formed a novel QoL theme and was associated with normalization and parental confidence in management of the condition.
CONCLUSION
Childhood glaucoma poses a substantial threat to a caregivers' psychosocial well-being. Strategies which promote normalization, peer support, psychotherapeutic intervention and genetic counseling may be indicated and indeed critical to the caregiver as they adapt to supporting their child with glaucoma.
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