Caregiver burden and inflammation in parents of children with special healthcare needs

• DOI: 10.1007/s44202-023-00089-z
• Publication Date: 2023-10-09T11:02:23Z
• Authors: Mandy D. Bamber; Farnaz Solatikia; Philippe Gaillard; Regena Spratling
• Keywords: Caregiver Burden

Abstract Children with special healthcare needs (CSHCN) are a vulnerable population that require specialized services and often cared for by parents. These parents experience psychological, physiological, potential inflammatory dysfunction related to amplified caregiving burden which may increase the complexity of child’s condition. Due dysregulation, we aimed compare caregiver inflammation CSHCN based on severity condition typically developing children. A cross-sectional design included children (n = 60), non-complex chronic disease 28; one does not progress), complex 32) was used. Parents completed Caregiver Burden Inventory blood serum collected measure inflammation. Multivariate analyses variance post-hoc testing used determine between group differences. experienced greater than ( p < 0.001) 0.044). reported 0.02). had lower pro- 0.042) anti-inflammatory 0.002) composite scores, medical more dysregulation. Future research should explore processes in this specific self-care measures improve psychological physical well-being.