Psychological distress and health-related quality of life in parents of children referred to an outpatient service for children with developmental disorders

Abstract

Objectives: The current study’s aim was to measure anxiety, depression and quality of life in parents of children referred for developmental evaluation. Methods: The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and the Short Form 36 Health Survey were used to assess anxiety, depression and quality of life, respectively. Results: One hundred and thirty parents participated in the study, 95 with a child referred for evaluation and 35 with healthy children. Parents of developmentally impaired children reported increased anxiety ( p=0.002) and depression ( p<0.001) and worse social functioning ( p=0.002) and mental health ( p=0.017). Mothers of developmentally impaired children reported significantly increased anxiety symptoms ( p=0.012) and bodily pain ( p=0.046) and lower levels of vitality ( p=0.009), social functioning ( p=0.005) and mental health ( p=0.008). More children in the family correlated with increased anxiety scores ( p=0.021), while higher child age was associated with more anxiety symptoms ( p=0.002), more role limitations due to emotional problems ( p=0.003) and worse mental health ( p=0.002). Conclusions: Parenting children with developmental difficulties is associated with significant psychological distress and disturbed quality of life.