Thesis
Psychological functioning in children and adolescents living with spinal cord lesions and their caregivers in Colombia, South America
Master of Science (M.S.), Drexel University
Oct 2013
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/00001263
Abstract
Objective: Spinal cord lesions resulting from spinal cord injury (SCI) and spina bifida (SB) are permanent and cause significant functional impairment. High rates of impaired psychological function and lower health-related quality of life (HRQOL) have been documented in children with SB and their caregivers, but few studies have examined these issues in the pediatric SCI population. Moreover, no research has investigated mental health or HRQOL among children living with spinal cord lesions, or their caregivers, in the developing world. There is reason to suspect that lack of access to medical, rehabilitative, and psychological resources places these individuals at particular risk for compromised psychological functioning. Therefore, the goals of the present study are: 1) to compare psychological functioning and HRQOL of children with SCI or SB to an age-matched comparison group; 2) to compare the psychological functioning, HRQOL, and level of burden in caregivers of children with SCI /SB to that of caregivers of healthy age-matched children; and, 3) to determine the influence of hopefulness on anxious and depressive symptomatology and HRQOL in children with SCI or SB. Participants: Thirty children with spinal cord lesions; 30 age-matched comparison group children; 30 caregivers of children with spinal cord lesions, and 30 caregivers of comparison group children. Methods: Children and caregivers completed a series of questionnaires assessing depressive and anxious symptomatology and HRQOL. Children also completed a questionnaire assessing hopefulness, and caregivers completed a questionnaire assessing levels of burden. Results: Contrary to hypotheses, significant between-group differences were not observed in terms of depressive and anxious symptoms in either children or their caregivers. However, significant differences in HRQOL were observed between children with spinal cord lesions and the comparison group. Finally, results revealed significant differences between caregiver groups on measures of HRQOL and burden. Conclusions: Results therefore highlight the need service delivery in Colombia to children with spinal cord lesions and their caregivers. Access to improved medical, rehabilitative, and psychological care could profoundly impact quality of life in the spinal cord lesion child and caregiver population, particularly with regard to respite services and resources to improve children's ability to attend school and participate in the community. In addition, parents of Colombian children with permanent physical disabilities may not expect their children to achieve normative levels of participation as compared to their healthy peers; psychoeducation would likely assist parents to understand that their children can live full lives despite their different abilities.
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Details
- Title
- Psychological functioning in children and adolescents living with spinal cord lesions and their caregivers in Colombia, South America
- Creators
- Elizabeth Gray Nicholls
- Contributors
- Brian P. Daly (Advisor) - Drexel University, Psychological and Brain Sciences (Psychology)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Master of Science (M.S.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Number of pages
- xi, 85 pages
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Psychological and Brain Sciences (Psychology); College of Arts and Sciences; Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 7136; 991019070013004721