Comparison of the Quality of Life of Mentally and Physically Disabled Children and Their Healthy Siblings

Abstract

Purpose: It is known that the health-related quality of life of children with neurological problems is adversely affected. But these problems also have a negative impact on the whole family. This study was conducted to examine the quality of life of children with mental and physical disabilities and their healthy siblings. Material and Methods: 82 children with mental and physical disabilities between the ages of 2-18 and their healthy siblings were included in the study. The sociodemographic data of the participants were recorded. The Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory was used to measure health-related quality of life, and the Gross Motor Function Classification System was used to evaluate the gross motor functions of children with disabilities. Results: 82 (48 boys, 34 girls) mentally and physically disabled children with a mean age of 9.87±5.06 years and 82 (34 boys, 48 girls) healthy siblings with a mean age of 12.68±3.65 were included in the study. When the quality of life of mentally and physically disabled children was examined, it was seen that there was no significant difference between the two groups (p>0.05). There was no significant difference between the quality of life of the healthy siblings of mentally and physically disabled children (p>0.05). Discussion: It was observed that the quality of life of healthy siblings of mentally and physically disabled children was similarly affected. It should not be forgotten that the quality of life of their families and healthy siblings will also be adversely affected during the treatment process of disabled children.

Keywords

• mental
• physical
• siblings
• life quality

Zihinsel ve Bedensel Engelli Çocuklar ile Sağlıklı Kardeşlerinin Yaşam Kalitelerinin Karşılaştırılması

Abstract

Amaç: Nörolojik sorunu olan çocukların sağlıkla ilgili yaşam kalitelerinin olumsuz etkilendiği bilinmektedir. Ancak bu sorunlar aynı zamanda tüm aileyi de olumsuz etkilemektedir. Bu çalışma, zihinsel ve bedensel engelli çocuklar ile sağlıklı kardeşlerinin yaşam kalitesini incelemek amacıyla yapılmıştır. Gereç ve Yöntem: Çalışmaya 2-18 yaş arası zihinsel ve bedensel engelli 82 çocuk ve onların sağlıklı kardeşleri dahil edildi. Katılımcıların sosyodemografik verileri kaydedildi. Sağlıkla ilişkili yaşam kalitesini ölçmek için Pediatrik Yaşam Kalitesi Envanteri, engelli çocukların kaba motor fonksiyonlarını değerlendirmek için Kaba Motor Fonksiyon Sınıflandırma Sistemi kullanıldı. Sonuçlar: Araştırmaya yaş ortalaması 9,87±5,06 yıl olan 82 (48 erkek, 34 kız) zihinsel ve bedensel engelli çocuk ve yaş ortalaması 12,68±3,65 olan 82 (34 erkek, 48 kız) sağlıklı kardeş dahil edildi. Zihinsel ve bedensel engelli çocukların yaşam kalitesi incelendiğinde iki grup arasında anlamlı bir fark olmadığı görüldü (p>0,05). Zihinsel ve bedensel engelli çocukların sağlıklı kardeşlerinin de yaşam kaliteleri arasında anlamlı bir fark yoktu (p>0,05). Tartışma: Zihinsel ve bedensel engelli çocuklar gibi sağlıklı kardeşlerin yaşam kalitesinin de benzer şekilde etkilendiği gözlendi. Engelli çocukların tedavi sürecinde ailelerinin ve sağlıklı kardeşlerinin yaşam kalitesinin de olumsuz etkileneceği unutulmamalıdır.

Keywords

• zihinsel
• fiziksel
• kardeş
• yaşam kalitesi

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