title: The family impact of atopic dermatitis in children: the role of the parent caregiver.
abstract: Although some preliminary work exists examining the impact of atopic dermatitis (AD) in children on their families, there is no empirical work examining specific parent caregiver factors that could contribute to the family impact of this condition. We conducted a cross-sectional, exploratory analysis of how parent caregivers are affected by their child's AD, and how certain parent caregiver characteristics and perceptions affect the family impact of this condition. Parent caregivers of children with AD (n = 49) were administered a survey to collect detailed data on socioeconomic status, health perceptions, and caregiving issues. Family impact of the child's AD was measured using a modified AD Family Impact Scale. Multiple regression analyses revealed that three major factors associated with the parent caregiver were correlated with large increases in the family impact scores: 1) perception that the child's condition is severe (13%, p < 0.01), 2) high use of nonmedical services for child's condition (21%, p < 0.01), and 3) financial concern about the child's condition (18%, p < 0.01). These preliminary data indicate distinct characteristics of the parent caregiver that are associated with higher family impact of AD in children. These parent caregiver factors may be important in identifying suitable audiences and areas for education for optimal management of children's AD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27157, USA. rbalkris@wfubmc.edu
authors.forename: Rajesh
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Balkrishnan
authors.forename: Tamara S
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Housman
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Grummer
authors.forename: Stephen R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Rapp
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Clarke
authors.forename: Steven R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Feldman
authors.forename: Alan B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Fleischer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006701:Home Nursing / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008134:Long-Term Care; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D011379:Prognosis; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires