Emotional states and perceived family functioning of caregivers of chronically ill children.

Emotional status and perception of family functioning of 32 primary caregivers of children with Battens disease was compared to 11 primary caregivers of children with chronic and less severe medical illnesses. The former caregivers were significantly more depressed, anxious, perceived their families as less cohesive and reported greater negative effects on their schedule and health than the latter group.