JOURNAL OF PAEDIATRICS AND CHILD HEALTH, cilt.56, sa.10, ss.1537-1543, 2020 (SCI-Expanded)
Aim In this study, we aimed to determine the psychosocial status of primary care givers of children with cystic fibrosis (CF) and its relationship with the clinical scores of children withCF. Methods Thirty-six patients withCFand their primary care givers were assessed. A personal information form, as well as the Parent Attitude Research Instrument, Maslach Burnout Inventory, Beck Depression Scale and modified Shwachman-Kulczycki Score, were used for data collection. Results All theCFchildren's primary care givers were their mothers. The mothers' occupation and educational level affected their child-rearing attitudes (P< 0.05). Furthermore, the frequency of hospital visits and hospitalizations was associated with increased emotional exhaustion, depression and negative attitudes towards child-rearing (P< 0.05). Higher levels of emotional exhaustion in mothers were associated with increased depersonalization and depression, while personal accomplishment was associated with lower levels of depression (P< 0.05). Depression was present in 69.4% of mothers, and its severity was correlated with their children having a poor clinical status. Moreover, increased depression was associated with increased negative attitudes towards child-rearing (P< 0.05). Conclusion The rate of depression is high in mothers of children withCF.These mothers displayed a negative attitude towards child-rearing, along with the disease, which was more severe in their children. These mothers should undergo routine psychosocial screening, and support should be given to those in need.