Further detailed objectification within comparative analysis of quality of life - based on some sociodemographic characteris-tics/parameters and related statistical analysis - between mot-hers of children with congenital versus acquired neuropatholo-gy

Abstract

Taking into account data from the specialized literature on the influence of sociodemographic characteristics/parameters on mothers with disabled child, this study aimed to determine whether there is a difference in quality of life between such mothers: of children with congenital neuropathology and respectively, of one with acquired neuropathology - based on some sociodemographic characteristics/parameters. 85 subjects (divided into two groups – congenital and acquired) were included in the study conducted at the National Clinical Centre of Neurorehabilitation for Children “Dr. N. Robanescu. To objectify – if existing – such above-mentioned differences we used the clinical functional quantified evaluation instrument PedsQL- Family Impact Module (PedsQL-FIM). According to our data, there were statistically significant differences between groups for the following: physical functioning, emotional functioning, communication, and worry. There were no statistically significant differences between the groups for daily activity, social functioning, cognitive functioning, and family relationships. We also found weak negative correlations between the following dimensions of PedsQL-FIM: emotional functioning, social functioning and communication) and education for the former group; a weak positive correlation between worry and education, a weak negative correlation between emotional functioning and income level, and two moderate negative correlations between social functioning, daily activities, and income level for the latter group. We can conclude that the variable education had the greatest impact on the quality of life for mothers of children with congenital neuropathology, while the variable income level had the greatest influence on mothers of children with acquired neuropathology.