The Association between Healthcare Satisfaction and Social Support and Stress, Depression, and Life Satisfaction in Female Caregivers: The Moderating Role of Dependence of a Sick Child

Jadranka Pavić, Mateja Krznar, Snježana Čukljek (), Biserka Sedić, Štefanija Ozimec Vulinec and Irena Kovačević
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Jadranka Pavić: Department of Nursing, University of Applied Health Sciences, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Mateja Krznar: DEBRA, Croatian Epidermolysis Bullosa Association, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Snježana Čukljek: Department of Nursing, University of Applied Health Sciences, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Biserka Sedić: Department of Nursing, University of Applied Health Sciences, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Štefanija Ozimec Vulinec: Department of Nursing, University of Applied Health Sciences, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Irena Kovačević: Department of Nursing, University of Applied Health Sciences, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia

IJERPH, 2024, vol. 21, issue 9, 1-17

Abstract: The caregivers of children suffering from rare diseases face numerous emotional, social, economic, organizational, and other difficulties, which can significantly impair their quality of life and mental health. Therefore, among other things, it is important to understand the factors which can influence psychosocial well-being. This research aimed to explore the association between healthcare satisfaction and social support and stress, depression, and life satisfaction in caregivers, with a moderating role of the ill child’s dependence on their caregiver. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 185 female caregivers of children with rare diseases. The data were analysed by using hierarchical regression analysis to examine the moderating effect of the child’s dependence. Results: Lower dependence of the child moderated the association between a higher level of healthcare satisfaction and reduced stress and a higher level of life satisfaction. Furthermore, lower child dependence moderated the association between a higher level of social support and a reduction in depression. In contrast, this association was absent in female caregivers with highly dependent children. On the other hand, the research confirmed that a higher level of social support led to stress reduction and increased life satisfaction in all respondents, regardless of the child’s dependence. Furthermore, the research confirmed that higher levels of healthcare satisfaction are associated with a reduction in depression in caregivers, regardless of the child’s dependence level. Conclusion: This research highlights the importance of providing adequate social support and high-quality healthcare in order to improve the psychosocial well-being of caregivers of children with rare diseases. Interventions to increase this support can reduce stress and depression and increase caregivers’ life satisfaction. Thus, future research should focus on the development and evaluation of specific interventions that support these factors.

Keywords: rare diseases; children; caregivers; social support; healthcare satisfaction (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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