ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Time demands of caring for children with cerebral palsy: what are the implications for maternal mental health?

  1. MICHAEL G SAWYER1,2,
  2. MICHAEL BITTMAN3,
  3. ANNETTE M LA GRECA4,
  4. ANGELA D CRETTENDEN5,
  5. NINA BOROJEVIC1,
  6. PARIMALA RAGHAVENDRA5,6,7,
  7. RAY RUSSO1,6

Article first published online: 14 JAN 2011

DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-8749.2010.03848.x

Issue

Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology

Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology

Volume 53, Issue 4, pages 338–343, April 2011

Additional Information

How to Cite

SAWYER, M. G., BITTMAN, M., LA GRECA, A. M., CRETTENDEN, A. D., BOROJEVIC, N., RAGHAVENDRA, P. and RUSSO, R. (2011), Time demands of caring for children with cerebral palsy: what are the implications for maternal mental health?. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology, 53: 338–343. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-8749.2010.03848.x

Author Information

  1. 1

     Children, Youth and Women’s Health Service, Adelaide, Australia.

  2. 2

     University of Adelaide, Australia.

  3. 3

     University of New England, New South Wales, Australia.

  4. 4

     University of Miami, Florida, USA.

  5. 5

     Novita Children’s Services, Adelaide, Australia.

  6. 6

     Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia.

  7. 7

     University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia.

*Professor Michael Sawyer at the Research and Evaluation Unit, Children, Youth and Women’s Health Service, 72 King William Road, North Adelaide, South Australia 5006, Australia. E-mail: michael.sawyer@adelaide.edu.au

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 14 MAR 2011
  2. Article first published online: 14 JAN 2011
  3. Accepted for publication 12th October 2010. Published online 14th January 2011.

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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 6.0 hours per 24 hours on weekdays and 8.3 hours per 24 hours on weekends caring for children with CP. There was a significant positive relationship between maternal psychological problems and both caregiving time required per 24 hours (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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