engleski

Parental stress, self-esteem and subjective happiness in parents of children with chronic condition

Parental psychological stress can impair parental self-esteem and perception of happiness. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between perceived parental stress, self-esteem and happiness in parents of children with a chronic condition. This cross sectional study took place in Zadar county, between March 2018 and March 2019. The sample included 217 parents, divided into five groups: parents of children with autistic spectrum disorder (N=36), Down syndrome (N=36), cerebral palsy (N=20), diabetes mellitus type 1 (N=43), and parents of healthy children (N=82). Parents filled out Parental Stress Scale, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and Subjective Happiness Scale. Multiple linear regression was used to assess the association between demographic characteristics, parental stress, happiness, and self-esteem. Compared to parents of healthy children, parents of children with autistic spectrum disorder (ß=0.18 ; p=0.007), Down syndrome (ß=0.14 ; p=0.032) and cerebral palsy (ß=0.12 ; p=0.058) reported higher parental stress. A number of close friends parents had was negatively associated with parental stress (ß=-0.14 ; p=0.016). Higher parental stress level was associated with both lower self-esteem (ß=-0.28 ; p <0.001) and perception of happiness (ß=-0.31 ; p<0.001). Higher self-esteem was associated with greater perception of happiness (ß=0.35 ; p<0.001). Parents of children with autistic spectrum disorder had the lowest level of perceived happiness (ß=-0.15 ; p=0.002). Chronic parental stress was associated with negative mental health characteristics in parents of children diagnosed with chronic conditions. A support system is needed for alleviating increased stress levels and maintaining parents' positive self-esteem and overall well-being.

parental stress ; children with disability, children with diabetes type 1 ; self-esteem ; happiness

nije evidentirano