Perceived social support and characteristics of social networks of families with children with special healthcare needs following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Covid-19
caregivers
children with chronic disease
children with special healthcare needs
inequalities
pandemic
social support
support networks
Journal
Frontiers in public health
ISSN: 2296-2565
Titre abrégé: Front Public Health
Pays: Switzerland
ID NLM: 101616579
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
2024
2024
Historique:
received:
15
10
2023
accepted:
05
02
2024
medline:
18
3
2024
pubmed:
15
3
2024
entrez:
15
3
2024
Statut:
epublish
Résumé
Children with special healthcare needs (CSHCN) require more support than the average of their peers. Support systems for CSHCN were particularly affected by pandemic control measures. Perceived social support is a resource for health and wellbeing for CSHCN and their families. Associations of social support, mental health and socioeconomic status (SES) have been described. This study aims to (1) assess perceived social support in families with and without CSHCN; (2) describe structure and types of social networks of families with and without CSHCN; and (3) explore associations between perceived social support, disease complexity, child and caregiver mental health, and SES. This is the third of a sequential series of cross-sectional online surveys conducted among caregivers of children ≤ 18 years in Germany since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, administered between 1st December 2022 and 10 March 2023. The Brief Social Support Scale (BS6) assessed perceived social support. Child and parental mental health were assessed using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) and WHO-5 Wellbeing index. The CSHCN-Screener identified CSHCN. Descriptive statistics and linear regression modeling assessed associations between perceived social support, parent-reported child mental health problems, disease complexity, caregiver mental wellbeing and SES. The final sample included 381 participants, among them 76.6% ( The results of this study describe inequalities in perceived social support according to disease complexity of the child, caregiver mental health and socioeconomic status. They highlight the importance of social support and support networks as a resource for wellbeing of caregivers and CSHCN. Moving on from the COVID-19 pandemic, recovery strategies should focus on low-threshold interventions based in the community to improve social support for families with CSHCN and actively involve caregivers in identifying needs and co-creating new approaches.
Sections du résumé
Background
UNASSIGNED
Children with special healthcare needs (CSHCN) require more support than the average of their peers. Support systems for CSHCN were particularly affected by pandemic control measures. Perceived social support is a resource for health and wellbeing for CSHCN and their families. Associations of social support, mental health and socioeconomic status (SES) have been described. This study aims to (1) assess perceived social support in families with and without CSHCN; (2) describe structure and types of social networks of families with and without CSHCN; and (3) explore associations between perceived social support, disease complexity, child and caregiver mental health, and SES.
Methods
UNASSIGNED
This is the third of a sequential series of cross-sectional online surveys conducted among caregivers of children ≤ 18 years in Germany since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, administered between 1st December 2022 and 10 March 2023. The Brief Social Support Scale (BS6) assessed perceived social support. Child and parental mental health were assessed using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) and WHO-5 Wellbeing index. The CSHCN-Screener identified CSHCN. Descriptive statistics and linear regression modeling assessed associations between perceived social support, parent-reported child mental health problems, disease complexity, caregiver mental wellbeing and SES.
Results
UNASSIGNED
The final sample included 381 participants, among them 76.6% (
Conclusion
UNASSIGNED
The results of this study describe inequalities in perceived social support according to disease complexity of the child, caregiver mental health and socioeconomic status. They highlight the importance of social support and support networks as a resource for wellbeing of caregivers and CSHCN. Moving on from the COVID-19 pandemic, recovery strategies should focus on low-threshold interventions based in the community to improve social support for families with CSHCN and actively involve caregivers in identifying needs and co-creating new approaches.
Identifiants
pubmed: 38487183
doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1322185
pmc: PMC10937572
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
1322185Informations de copyright
Copyright © 2024 Geweniger, Barth, Haddad, Högl, Insan, Mund and Langer.
Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts
The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.
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