Stress, Anxiety and Depression among Parents of Children with Chronic Health Conditions

BACKGROUND Parents coping with childs chronic health conditions react differently to symptoms of anxiety, stress and depression compared to parents with children without chronic health conditions1. Understanding their reaction to these symptoms may be useful for understanding and creating an insight of the needs and approaches of mothers and fathers of children with a pediatric chronic health condition. OBJECTIVES The primary aim of this study was to examine symptoms of stress, anxiety and depression in a sample of mothers and fathers of children with a pediatric chronic conditions. METHODS We assessed these symptoms via a validated Albanian version of DASS-42 questionnaire and explored the relationship between demographic variables and symptoms of SAD among parents. RESULTS A total of 405 parents participated in this study, of which 252 (62.2 %) Females and 153 (37.8 %) Males. Most emotional reactions are seen among mothers reporting significantly higher levels of anxiety (P = 0, 048) and stress (P = 0, 026) fathers. Although there was a difference between anxiety and stress symptoms among father and mothers, no significant difference was noticed for depression (P = 0, 861). Among parents agegroups there wasnt any significant link with SAD symptoms. We noticed a significant link between duration of coping and stress (P = 0, 004), but no link with anxiety and depression. CONCLUSIONS Social and health policies in Albania must be informed about the psychological alternations of parents with children having a chronic health condition. This can contribute to tailoring psychological care to those parents most in need. We found more parental stress, anxiety and emotional strain among mothers and those parents that had a longer time dealing.