The health and psychosocial functioning of caregivers of children with neurodevelopmental disorders

Abstract

Purpose. Children with neurodevelopmental disorders (Neuro) pose complex parenting challenges, particularly if the condition co-occurs with behaviour problems. Such challenges are likely to impact caregiver health and well-being. This study explores the extent to which caregivers of children with both Neuro and behaviour problems differ in their physical and psychosocial outcomes from caregivers of children with either condition or neither condition.

Method. The first wave of data collected in the National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth in Canada (1994) was used to identify four groups of caregivers of 4-to 11-year-old children: caregivers of children with a Neuro disorder and externalising behaviour problems (Both; n = 414), caregivers of children with a Neuro disorder only (Neuro Only; n = 750), caregivers of children with an externalising behaviour problem only (Ext Only; n = 1067), and caregivers of children with neither health condition (Neither; n = 7236).

Results. Caregivers in the Both group were least likely to report excellent or very good health, and more frequently reported chronic conditions such as asthma, arthritis, back problems, migraine headaches, and limitations in activities as compared to the Neither group. This group also exhibited higher depression scores, experienced more problematic family functioning and reported lower social support than the Neither group. Scores for caregivers in the Ext Only and Neuro Only groups tended to lie between the Both and Neither group scores and often did not differ from one another.

Conclusions. Caregivers of children with both neurovelopmental disorders and behaviour problems exhibited a greater number of health and psychosocial problems. While addressing children's behaviour problems, health care professionals should also consider caregiver physical and psychosocial health, as this may also have an impact on children's well-being.

Keywords:

• Caregivers
• health status
• disabled children
• developmental disabilities
• epidemiology

Notes

Notes

1. Children were selected on the basis of whether or not they had a neurodevelopmental disorder or exhibited externalising behaviour problems. In households where all children had a neurodevelopmental disorder or externalising behaviour problems (1195 households, representing 1472 children), one child was randomly selected. In households where none of the interviewed children had neurodevelopmental disorders or externalising behaviour problems (7224 households, representing 10,074 children), one child was randomly selected. In households where there was a mix of children with and without these conditions (1048 households, representing 2367 children), children who had either a neurodevelopmental disorder or externalising behaviour problems were selected. For these households, if there was still more than one child representing the household, one of the children was selected at random. If there was still more than one child per household present in the dataset, we randomly selected one of the non-healthy children. This resulted in a final sample 9467 children and their caregivers.