Abstract
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 6.0hours per 24hours on weekdays and 8.3hours per 24hours on weekends caring for children with CP. There was a significant positive relationship between maternal psychological problems and both caregiving time required per 24hours (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.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 338-343 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology |
| Volume | 53 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Apr 1 2011 |
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ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Clinical Neurology
- Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
- Developmental Neuroscience
Cite this
Time demands of caring for children with cerebral palsy : What are the implications for maternal mental health? / Sawyer, Michael G.; Bittman, Michael; La Greca, Annette M; Crettenden, Angela D.; Borojevic, Nina; Raghavendra, Parimala; Russo, Ray.
In: Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology, Vol. 53, No. 4, 01.04.2011, p. 338-343.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Time demands of caring for children with cerebral palsy
T2 - What are the implications for maternal mental health?
AU - Sawyer, Michael G.
AU - Bittman, Michael
AU - La Greca, Annette M
AU - Crettenden, Angela D.
AU - Borojevic, Nina
AU - Raghavendra, Parimala
AU - Russo, Ray
PY - 2011/4/1
Y1 - 2011/4/1
N2 - 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 6.0hours per 24hours on weekdays and 8.3hours per 24hours on weekends caring for children with CP. There was a significant positive relationship between maternal psychological problems and both caregiving time required per 24hours (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.
AB - 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 6.0hours per 24hours on weekdays and 8.3hours per 24hours on weekends caring for children with CP. There was a significant positive relationship between maternal psychological problems and both caregiving time required per 24hours (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.
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U2 - 10.1111/j.1469-8749.2010.03848.x
DO - 10.1111/j.1469-8749.2010.03848.x
M3 - Article
VL - 53
SP - 338
EP - 343
JO - Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology
JF - Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology
SN - 0012-1622
IS - 4
ER -