Maternal cognitive and socioemotional caregiving with young children during hospitalization: a cross-sectional study from Pakistan

Abstract

Background: In high-income countries, specialized staff effectively use play-based interventions for reducing stress during pediatric hospitalization. However, in settings where skilled professionals are not available, training parents to implement these interventions can be a feasible option. Cultural aspects of caregiving should be considered when designing such interventions in different contexts. Methods: This study was conducted in a private pediatric unit in Pakistan to explore maternal caregiving in cognitive and socioemotional domains with young, hospitalized children as well as its association with different child and family factors. Research assistants administered a cross-sectional survey to 281 mothers of young, hospitalized children aged 7-60 months, collecting information on the child's age, disease group, perceived health status, maternal knowledge of developmental milestones, education status. The Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey Early Childhood Development module, a parent report measure was used to collect data on maternal engagement with caregiving activities in the past 3 days. Results: Mothers reported engaging more in socioemotional caregiving activities (Mean 1.51, SD 1.77) than cognitive (Mean 0.88, SD 1.27). More than half of the mothers reported playing with their children, while less than a third reported telling stories. Mothers with higher education levels and children in better health status showed significantly greater engagement in socioemotional caregiving. However, no child or mother level factor was found to be associated with cognitive caregiving. Conclusion: Caregiving patterns during hospitalization are similar to those reported e in community-based studies suggesting broader cultural influences on maternal caregiving practices.