Ratings of parenting stress in mild to moderate chronic kidney disease in children: a pilot investigation.

BACKGROUND

Parental stress in pediatric chronic illness is well known; however, there is a dearth of literature describing parental stress in pediatric chronic kidney disease (CKD). This pilot study evaluated parenting stress in mild to moderate pediatric CKD relative to caregivers of healthy, typically developing children.

METHODS

The study included 38 children, ages 6 to 12 years, and their parents (CKD Group = 10, Typical Group = 28). Pediatric CKD participants had mild to moderate kidney dysfunction for at least 3 months. Parents completed the Parenting Stress Index (PSI-3) as a measure of their current stress.

RESULTS

Serial linear regressions revealed no significant group differences on the Child, Parent, Total Stress, or Life Stress domains; however, exploratory analyses revealed significant parental stress on the subscales of Mood and Acceptability, as well as concerns about their own Competence and Health. Compared to the control group, parents of patients with CKD also reported significantly high levels of stress on Adaptability (50% versus 21.4%), Mood (60% versus 25%), and Acceptability (50% versus 10.7%).

CONCLUSIONS

While overall levels of parenting stress were not unduly elevated in group comparisons, increased stress levels with respect to their child's mood, acceptability, and their own personal health were noted. The proportion of CKD parent ratings reaching significantly high stress levels also was uniformly high, particularly in Adaptability, Mood, Acceptability, (parental) Competence, and Total Stress. These pilot results should guide future studies exploring parent/family factors and potential interventions for reducing parenting stress and related burdens in the clinical care of children with CKD.