Stress and Quality of Life in Urban Caregivers of Children With Poorly Controlled Asthma: A Longitudinal Analysis
Melissa H Bellin, Philip Osteen, Joan Kub, Mary E Bollinger, Mona Tsoukleris, Laurie Chaikind, Arlene M Butz, Melissa H Bellin, Philip Osteen, Joan Kub, Mary E Bollinger, Mona Tsoukleris, Laurie Chaikind, Arlene M Butz
Abstract
Introduction: The intent of this analysis was to examine the longitudinal effects of risk and protective factors on quality of life (QOL) in caregivers of minority children with asthma.
Method: Caregivers (n = 300) reported on demographics, child asthma characteristics, daily asthma caregiving stress, general life stress, social support, and QOL. Latent growth curve modeling examined changes in QOL across 12 months as a function of stress, asthma control, and social support.
Results: Caregivers were primarily the biological mother (92%), single (71%), unemployed (55%), and living in poverty. Children were African American (96%), Medicaid eligible (92%), and had poorly controlled asthma (93%). Lower QOL was associated with higher life stress, greater asthma caregiving stress, and lower asthma control over time.
Discussion: Findings underscore the importance of assessing objective and subjective measures of asthma burden and daily life stress in clinical encounters with urban, low-income caregivers of children with poorly controlled asthma.
Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00860418.
Keywords: Asthma; caregivers; quality of life; stress.
Copyright © 2015 National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Source: PubMed