The need for psychosocial support in parents with cochlear implanted children.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to assess the need of parents with Cochlear implanted children for psychosocial support, based on psychic symptoms reported by these parents and their motivation to make use of psychosocial interventions.


METHODS
Fifty seven mothers and 46 fathers of 57 Cochlear implanted children were evaluated separately, employing validated questionnaires (Symptom Checklist-90-R and Questionnaire on Psychosocial Support).


RESULTS
26% of the mothers and 25% of the fathers showed severe psychic symptoms as reflected in the Symptom Checklist-90-R. Fifty nine percent of the mothers and 60% of the fathers were highly motivated to participate in psychosocial interventions--especially in the form of further information on their children's ailment and in parents' groups.


CONCLUSIONS
The data presented suggest that there is a need for psychosocial support in 18% of the parents; 8% of the parents show high psychic stress, but low motivation. The rest of the parents are not in need of support; nevertheless, 42% of the parents are highly motivated in favor of psychosocial interventions.
Spahn
C
C
Department for Psychosomatics and Psychotherapeutic Medicine at the Freiburg University Clinic, Hauptstrasse 8, D-79104 Freiburg, Germany. spahncl@uni-freiburg.de
Richter
B
B
Zschocke
I
I
Löhle
E
E
Wirsching
M
M
D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D019929:Cochlear Implantation; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000209:etiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires