Psychological distress and health-related quality of life in parents of children referred to an outpatient service for children with developmental disorders

Abstract

Objectives:

The current study’s aim was to measure anxiety, depression and quality of life in parents of children referred for developmental evaluation.

Methods:

The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and the Short Form 36 Health Survey were used to assess anxiety, depression and quality of life, respectively.

Results:

One hundred and thirty parents participated in the study, 95 with a child referred for evaluation and 35 with healthy children. Parents of developmentally impaired children reported increased anxiety (p=0.002) and depression (p<0.001) and worse social functioning (p=0.002) and mental health (p=0.017). Mothers of developmentally impaired children reported significantly increased anxiety symptoms (p=0.012) and bodily pain (p=0.046) and lower levels of vitality (p=0.009), social functioning (p=0.005) and mental health (p=0.008). More children in the family correlated with increased anxiety scores (p=0.021), while higher child age was associated with more anxiety symptoms (p=0.002), more role limitations due to emotional problems (p=0.003) and worse mental health (p=0.002).

Conclusions:

Parenting children with developmental difficulties is associated with significant psychological distress and disturbed quality of life.