Festus ABASIUBONG, Victor Okon ANSA, Sunday Bassey UDOH, Inuaesiet Ime EDEMEKONG, Mkpouto Udeme AKPAN

Stress, attitude and marital relationships of mothers of children with chronic neurological disorders in southern Nigeria

AMAÇ: Bölgemizde nörolojik bozukluklar (NB) genel olarak çocuklarda görülmektedir. Artan bir şekilde; aileler arasında bu konu ile ilgili bilgi yetersizliği, strese karşı olumsuz tutum ve kişiler arası ilişkilerde bozulma ile sonuçlanmaktadır. Bu çalışmanın amacı; NB yaşayan çocukların annelerinin stres düzeyi ve anneleri arasında evlilik ilişkilerin kalitesini değerlendirmektir YÖNTEM: Bu çalışma Ocak ve Aralık 2008 tarihleri arasında Uyo Üniversitesi Eğitim Hastanesi Çocuk ve Adolesan psikiatrisi kliniğine başvuran 126 NB hastası çocukların annelerinin stres düzeyleri, tutumları ve evlilik ilişkileri PSQ ve GRIMS soru formları kullanılarak değerlendirilmiş, normal çocukların anneleri ile karşılaştırılmıştır. BULGULAR: Katılımcılar arasında her iki grupta da yaygın negatif tutum görülmüş olup, NB’lu çocukların annelerinden 15’inin (%13,2) ve kontrol grubunun annelerinden 6 (%5,3) annenin tıbbi rahatsızlıklara neden atfetmekte olduğu, NB’lu çocukların annelerinden 10’unun (%7,9) ve kontrol grubunun annelerinden 26 (%22,8) annenin çocuklarının ölmesini istediği saptanmıştır. Stres düzeyi annelerin 30 yaş altında ve 50 yaş üstünde olanlarında, yüksek öğrenim görenlerde ve serbest meslek sahibi olanlarda yüksek bulunmuştur (p

Güney Nijerya'da kronik nörolojik bozukluğu olan çocukların annelerinin stres düzeyleri, tutumları ve ailevi ilişkileri

AIM: Neurological disorders (NDs) occur commonly in children in our environment. Increasingly, the poor knowledge of these conditions among parents results in negative attitude with stress and disruption in interpersonal relationships. The objective of this study was to assess the level of stress and quality of marital relationships among mothers of children with NDs. METHOD: Between January and December 2008, 126 mothers of children with NDs at the Child and Adolescent Psychiatric clinic, University of Uyo Teaching Hospital were assessed for perceived stress, attitude and quality of marital relationships using PSQ and GRIMS Questionnaires. This was compared with mothers of normal children. RESULTS: There were prevalent negative attitudes among respondents in both groups; only 15 (13.2%) mothers with NDs and 6 (5.3%) controls attributed causes to medical conditions; 10 (7.9%) against 26 (22.8%) wished the child had died. Stress was high in mothers aged below 30 and 50 years and above; with tertiary education and in those who were self–employed (p<0.001). Quality of marital relationship was poorer in subjects than controls (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Mothers of children with neurological disorders have increased stress resulting in poor interpersonal relationships. Education is important to improve parental knowledge and enhance family cohesion.

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