The impact of caregiving and role strain on family life: Comparisons between mothers of children with cystic fibrosis and matched controls

Daily activity patterns and extent of role strain were compared between mothers caring for an infant or toddler with cystic fibrosis (CF) and matched controls. Forty mothers, half in each group, participated in a home interview and six subsequent evening phone diaries. Mothers in the CF as compared to control group spent significantly more time in medical care activities on both week and weekend days, and more time in chores and child care on weekends. Additionally, mothers in the CF versus control group had a less diverse pattern of recreation and spent less time in play and recreation activities. No differences were found on self-report measures of role strain. However, on a behavioral role strain index, mothers in the CF group evidenced greater role strain than mothers in the control group. The importance of including both behavioral and perceptual measures of role strain are discussed.