This article presents the results of a postal survey of parents caring for children with restricted mobility in Southern Derbyshire. The survey investigated the incidence of musculoskeletal problems in the study group and looked at the ways that these parents managed to care for themselves and what strategies they used to perform tasks that involved lifting and supporting their child.
The results revealed a high incidence of musculoskeletal problems, particularly back pain. Few parents had received advice on lifting and handling issues, although they considered it useful. Their use of and attitude towards lifting equipment was poor; however, housing adaptations were instigated and valued. The implications for occupational therapy are considered and areas for further research are discussed.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
AndersonVP (1988) Cumulative trauma disorders: A manual for musculoskeletal diseases of the upper limbs. London: Taylor Francis.
2.
CallietR (1991) Pain series: Low back pain (ed. 4); Neck and arm pain (ed. 3); Shoulder pan (ed. 3). Philadelphia: FA Davis.
3.
Carers Act (1995) London: HMSO.
4.
Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (1992) Factsheet 9: Patient handling training. London: CSP.
5.
Clinical Standards Advisory Group (1994) Back pain. London: HMSO.
6.
Clinical Standards Advisory Group (1995) The epidemiology and cost of back pain. London: HMSO.
7.
Couzens-HowardD (1996) Report on the Essex Group's first paediatric moving and handling workshop. London: National Back Exchange.
8.
CowenA (1994) Taking care. York: Joseph Rowntree Foundation.
9.
EsdaileSA (1994) A focus on mothers, their children with special needs and other caregivers. Australian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 41, 3–8.
10.
HaslamD (1989) Parent stress. London: Futura.
11.
Health and Safety Commission (1993) Guidance on manual handling of loads in the health service. London: Health and Safety Commission.
12.
HewettSNewsonJNewsonE (1970) The family and the handicapped child. London: Allen and Unwin.
13.
HowardLM (1994) Multidisciplinary quality assessment: The case of a child development team, part 1. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 57(9), 345–48.
14.
HubertJ (1991) Home bound. London: King's Fund Centre.
15.
KazakAEMarvinRS (1984) Differences, difficulties and adaptation: Stress and social networks in families with a handicapped child. Family Relations, 33, 67–77.
16.
KinnearPRGrayCD (1994) SPSS for Windows made simple. UK: Erlbaum, Hore.
17.
LambBLayzellsS (1995) Disabled in Britain. Behind closed doors: The carer's experience. London: Scope.
Masters-GliddenL (1993) What we do not know about families with children who have developmental disabilities: A questionnaire on resources and stress as a case study. American Journal on Mental Retardation, 97(5), 481–95.
20.
MillerACGordonRMDanieleRJDillerL (1992) Stress appraisal and coping in mothers of disabled and non-disabled children. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 17(5), 587–605.
21.
NichollsJA (1997) Patient handling and training and work-related back pain. British Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation, 4(8), 429–34.
22.
NorusisMJ (1993) SPSS for Windows base system user's guide release 6.0. Chicago: SPSS.
23.
PimmP (1996) Some of the implications of caring for a child or adult with cerebral palsy. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 59(7), 335–41.
24.
RichardsonAUnellJAstonB (1989) A new deal for carers. London: King's Fund Centre.
25.
Secretary of State for Health (1992) The health of the nation. London: HMSO.
26.
SloperPTurnerS (1992) Service needs of families of children with severe physical disability. Child: Care, Health and Development, 18, 259–82.
27.
SPSS UK (1995) Training course notes. UK: SPSS UK Ltd.
28.
StewartMJRitchieJAMcGrathPThompsonDBruceB (1995) Mothers of children with chronic conditions: Supportive and stressful interactions with partners and professionals regarding caregiving burdens. Canadian Journal of Nursing Research, 26(4), 61–82.
29.
TannerMJWhitehouseRH (1975) Growth and development records. Welwyn Garden City, Herts: Castle Mead Publications.
30.
TonkinJ (1996) Handle with care: Society responds to new concerns. Frontline, 2(15), 11, 21.
31.
TraceyC (1997) To lift or not to lift 2: The implications for patient lifting. British Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation, 4(6), 332–38.
