Children's psychosocial functioning and parents' quality of life in paediatric short stature: The mediating role of caregiving stress
Corresponding Author
Department of Medical Psychology, University Medical Center Hamburg‐Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
Cognitive and Behavioral Center for Research and Intervention, Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
Correspondence
Dr. Neuza Silva, Centro de Investigação do Núcleo de Estudos e Intervenção Cognitivo‐Comportamental, Faculdade de Psicologia e de Ciências da Educação da Universidade de Coimbra, Rua do Colégio Novo, 3000‐115 Coimbra, Portugal.
Email: neuzambsilva@gmail.com
Search for more papers by this authorDepartment of Medical Psychology, University Medical Center Hamburg‐Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
Search for more papers by this authorDepartment of Medical Psychology, University Medical Center Hamburg‐Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
Search for more papers by this authorDepartment of Medical Psychology, University Medical Center Hamburg‐Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
Search for more papers by this authorDepartment of Medical Psychology, University Medical Center Hamburg‐Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
Search for more papers by this authorDepartment of Medical Psychology, University Medical Center Hamburg‐Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Department of Medical Psychology, University Medical Center Hamburg‐Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
Cognitive and Behavioral Center for Research and Intervention, Faculty of Psychology and Education Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
Correspondence
Dr. Neuza Silva, Centro de Investigação do Núcleo de Estudos e Intervenção Cognitivo‐Comportamental, Faculdade de Psicologia e de Ciências da Educação da Universidade de Coimbra, Rua do Colégio Novo, 3000‐115 Coimbra, Portugal.
Email: neuzambsilva@gmail.com
Search for more papers by this authorDepartment of Medical Psychology, University Medical Center Hamburg‐Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
Search for more papers by this authorDepartment of Medical Psychology, University Medical Center Hamburg‐Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
Search for more papers by this authorDepartment of Medical Psychology, University Medical Center Hamburg‐Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
Search for more papers by this authorDepartment of Medical Psychology, University Medical Center Hamburg‐Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
Search for more papers by this authorDepartment of Medical Psychology, University Medical Center Hamburg‐Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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Abstract
Objectives
On the basis of the multidimensional model of the caregiving process, this study aimed (a) to compare the levels of quality of life (QoL) and psychological problems of children with short stature and the levels of caregiving stress and QoL of their parents, between diagnostic, treatment, and current height deviation groups, and (b) to examine the direct and indirect links, via caregiving stress, between children's psychosocial functioning and their parents' QoL.
Method
The sample was collected in 5 European countries and comprised 238 dyads of 8‐ to 18‐year‐old children and adolescents with a clinical diagnosis of growth hormone deficiency or idiopathic short stature and one of their parents. The children completed self‐report measures of height‐related QoL (Quality of Life in Short Stature Youth Core Module) and psychological problems (Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire); the parents reported on their own QoL (EUROHIS‐QOL‐8 Index) and caregiving stress (Quality of Life in Short Stature Youth Effects on Parents subscale).
Results
Children who were treated and who achieved normal height reported better QoL compared to those untreated and with current short stature. Parents of children with idiopathic short stature and current short stature presented greater caregiving stress than parents of children with growth hormone deficiency and achieved normal height. Children's better psychosocial functioning was indirectly associated with parents' better QoL, via less caregiving stress, and these links were invariant across diagnoses, treatment status, and current height deviation.
Conclusions
These results suggest that, along with growth hormone treatments, multidisciplinary interventions in paediatric endocrinology should be family‐centred, by targeting both the children's psychosocial functioning and the parents' stress, in order to improve individual and family adaptation.
