Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Assistant Professor of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing - Zagazig University, Egypt and Associate Professor of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, Department of Psychiatric and Mental Health and Community Health, College of Nursing - Qassim University, Buraidah, Qassim, Saudi Arabia
2
Assistant Professor of Community Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing - Zagazig University, Egypt
3
Lecturer of Pediatric Nursing, Faculty of Nursing - Zagazig University, Egypt
4
Assistant Professor of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing - Zagazig University, Egypt, and College of Nursing, Mohail Aseer - King Khalid University, Saudi Arabia
5
Lecturer of Community Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing - Zagazig University, Egypt
Abstract
Background: Caring for children with special care needs places persistent psychological and physical strain on the caregivers, which could have a deteriorating effect on their selfcompetence and overall functioning. Aim of the study: The study aimed to evaluate the effect of a group-based intervention on caregiving strain and parenting self-competence
among caregivers of children with special care needs. Subjects and Methods; Research design: A quasi-experimental (pre-test/post-test) study was conducted at Sabeel Association for children with special care needs in Zefta City, Gharbia governorate. Subjects: A Convenient sample of 47 caregivers of children with special care needs was recruited.
Tools of data collection: Data were collected by three tools; (1) An interview questionnaire including; socio-demographic characteristics of caregivers and clinical characteristics of their children, (2) Caregiver Strain Questionnaire-Short Form, and (3) Parenting Sense of Competence (PSOC) scale. Results: Statistically significant improvements in all dimensions
of caregiver strain (p<0.001) were found after the implementation of the intervention. As well, there was a statistically significant improvement in parenting satisfaction, efficacy, and PSOC (p=0.0001), indicating improvements in parenting self-competence of the participated caregivers in post intervention phase. Also, the results revealed a high statistically significant negative correlation between parenting self-competency score and caregivers' strain score in post-intervention (r= -0.48 at p=0.001). Conclusion: The group-based intervention had a positive effect on improving caregivers' self-competence and lessening their caregiving strain. Recommendations: Group-based interventions should be widely implemented in community healthcare centers to enhance caregiver self-competence and alleviate caregiving strain.
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