Predicting depressive symptoms among the mothers of children with leukaemia: A caregiver stress model perspective

Abstract

The aim of this study was to find out the predictors of depressive symptoms of mothers of children with leukaemia. The potential predictors were chosen in the light of the caregiver stress model [Pearlin, Mullan, Semple, and Skaff, 1990. Caregiving and the stress process: An overview of concepts and their measures. The Gerontologist, 30(5), 583-594.], which examines the caregiver stress as composed of many factors such as the background variables, primary and secondary stressors, mediators and psychological health outcomes. This study included the caregiving tasks, basic needs of the caregivers and role strain as the stressors; coping strategies and perceived social support as mediators and depressive symptoms as the outcome variable. The participants of this study were 90 mothers of children with leukaemia. The results revealed that the satisfaction level of the basic needs and role strain were the predictors of the depressive symptoms. While emotion-focussed coping and perceived social support mediated the stressors and the depressive symptoms relationship, problem-focussed coping did not. The possible explanations of the results were explored and the implications were discussed.

Factors Related to Depressive Symptoms in Mothers of Technology-Dependent Children

“…While counterintuitive, this finding is consistent with previous caregiving research (Aranda & Hayman-White, 2001; Demirtepe-Saygili & Bozo, 2011; Given et al, 2004). It has been posited that the type of task is of greater importance than the actual time spent for caregiving or the number of tasks.…”

“…An additional explanation is that caregiving tasks for children might be perceived differently than tasks in caring for an elderly family member. Caregiving for a child may not be perceived as an extra burden but rather part of their parenting role (Demirtepe-Saygili & Bozo, 2011). In addition, due to this perception that care is part of the parenting role, mothers in this study may have underestimated the amount of care delivered to their technology-dependent child.…”

A systematic review on factors and consequences of parental distress as related to childhood cancer

“…from work) were associated with higher distress, anxiety, depression and PTSS in parents (Fotiadou et al . ; Demirtepe‐Saygili & Bozo ; Norberg et al . ).…”

Physical and Mental Health, Anxiety and Depressive Symptoms in Caregivers of Patients in Vegetative State and Minimally Conscious State

“…A study on caregivers of people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis also indicated that depression and anxiety are effectively related to the burden experienced by carers (Pagnini et al, ). Finally, mothers of children with leukaemia complained severe depressive symptoms (Demirtepe‐Saygılı & Bozo, ).…”