title: Pediatric SCI/D caregiver mental health and family dynamics in Colombia, South America.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study examined the connections between family dynamics and the mental health of caregivers of youth with spinal cord injuries/disorders (SCI/D) caregivers from Colombia, South America. It was hypothesized that lower family functioning would be associated with poorer caregiver mental health.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study of self-report data collected from caregivers through the Hospital Universatario Hernando Moncaleano Perdomo in Neiva, Colombia. Thirty caregivers of children with SCI/D from Nevia, Colombia who were a primary caregiver for ≥3 months, providing care for an individual who was ≥6 months post-injury/diagnosis, familiar with the patient's history, and without neurological or psychiatric conditions. Caregivers' average age was 41.30 years (SD = 10.98), and 90% were female. Caregivers completed Spanish versions of instruments assessing their own mental health and family dynamics.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Family dynamics explained 43.2% of the variance in caregiver burden and 50.1% of the variance in satisfaction with life, although family dynamics were not significantly associated with caregiver depression in the overall analysis. Family satisfaction was the only family dynamics variable to yield a significant unique association with any index of caregiver mental health (satisfaction with life).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  If similar findings emerge in future intervention research, interventions for pediatric SCI/D caregivers in Colombia and other similar global regions could benefit from including techniques to improve family dynamics, especially family satisfaction, given the strong potentially reciprocal connection between these dynamics and caregiver mental health.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The degree of disability resulting from SCI/D can vary greatly depending on the severity and level of the lesion, though permanent impairment is often present that profoundly impacts both physical and psychological functioning. Very little is known about the impact of pediatric SCI/D in developing countries, despite the high rates of injury reported in these areas. Family interventions could contribute significantly to the lives of children with SCI/D and their families.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Psychology , Virginia Commonwealth University , Richmond , VI , USA .
authors.forename: Sarah T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Doyle
authors.affiliation: a Department of Psychology , Virginia Commonwealth University , Richmond , VI , USA .
authors.forename: Paul B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Perrin
authors.affiliation: b Department of Psychology , Drexel University , Philadelphia , PA , USA .
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Nicholls
authors.affiliation: c Department of Psychology , Universidad Surcolombiana , Neiva , Colombia , and.
authors.forename: Silvia Leonor
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Olivera
authors.affiliation: c Department of Psychology , Universidad Surcolombiana , Neiva , Colombia , and.
authors.forename: Lorena Medina
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Quintero
authors.affiliation: c Department of Psychology , Universidad Surcolombiana , Neiva , Colombia , and.
authors.forename: Nadezda Yulieth Méndez
authors.initials: NY
authors.lastname: Otálvaro
authors.affiliation: d Department of Psychology , IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, University of Deusto , Bilbao , Spain.
authors.forename: Juan Carlos
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Arango-Lasprilla
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002648:Child; D003105:Colombia / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D005192:Family Health; D005195:Family Relations; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011788:Quality of Life; D013118:Spinal Cord Diseases / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Caregiver; Latin America; mental health; spinal cord injury