218128 Effects of behavior problems in very low birth weight children on stress and the health-related quality of life of their parents: An ancillary study to the Newborn Lung Project Statewide Cohort Study in Wisconsin

Tuesday, November 9, 2010 : 3:00 PM - 3:15 PM

Whitney P. Witt, PhD, MPH , Department of Population Health Sciences, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI
Hilary Spear, BA , Department of Population Health Sciences, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI
Nataliya Levin, BA , Department of Population Health Sciences, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI
Kristin Litzelman, BA , Department of Population Health Sciences, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI
Lauren Wisk, BS , Department of Population Health Sciences, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI
Beth McManus, PT, MPH, ScD , Department of Population Health Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Madison, WI
Mari Palta, PhD , Department of Population Health Sciences, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Madison, WI
        
Background: Little is understood about the long term impact of caring for a very low birth weight (VLBW) child. The primary aim of this study was to compare health-related quality of life (QOL) and symptoms of stress between parents caring for surviving VLBW children and parents of normal birth weight (NBW) children; and to determine the extent to which children's behavior problems mediate the relationship between caring for a VLBW child and parental health-related QOL and symptoms of stress.

Methods: This is an ancillary study to the Newborn Lung Project Statewide Cohort Study, an ongoing population-based study examining risk factors and outcomes of VLBW infants and children. A telephone interview was administered to 308 case participants (parents of VLBW children) and 298 control participants (parents of NBW children) to assess QOL and symptoms of stress.

Results: Parenting a VLBW child was significantly associated with poor physical health and symptoms of stress. Staged multivariate analysis revealed that child behavior problems completely mediated the effect of caring for a VLBW child on parental stress symptoms. Similarly, child behavior problems attenuated the relationship between case status and adverse parental physical health.

Conclusion: Greater child behavior problems were related to higher levels of parental stress, and mediated the relationship between caring for a child born VLBW and parental stress symptoms. Addressing child behavior problems, while critical in improving child outcomes, may also be an important way to reduce parental stress and improve parent health outcomes.

Learning Areas:
Epidemiology
Public health or related research
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
1. Evaluate the relationship between caring for a very low birth weight (VLBW) child and parental health-related quality of life and symptoms of stress. 2. Assess the impact of child behavior problems in VLBW children on parental health-related quality of life and symptoms of stress.

Keywords: Caregivers, Stress

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am qualified to present because I oversee a program of research such as social and behavior health sciences.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 4292.0: Screening and beyond: Issues in identification and family-centered care of children with special health care needs.