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Perceived Social Support in Parents of Hospitalized Children During COVID-19
Dimitra Mourdoukouta1, Maria Polikandrioti1, Evangelos Dousis1
1Department of Nursing, University of West Attica, Athens, Greece.
Insights
Parents of hospitalized children reported high social support during the COVID-19 pandemic. Vaccination and having vulnerable household members were linked to increased support, while family conflicts were associated with lower support.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Public Health
- Sociology
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic created unprecedented challenges for families, particularly those with hospitalized children.
- Vulnerable populations, including parents of sick children, faced significant emotional and practical difficulties.
- Understanding social support systems is crucial for mitigating pandemic-related stress.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the levels of perceived social support among parents of hospitalized children.
- To identify factors associated with social support in this population during the pandemic.
Main Methods:
- A study involving 110 parents (80 mothers, 30 fathers) of hospitalized children.
- Data collection using The Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS).
- Statistical analysis with significance level set at p < 0.05.
Main Results:
- High levels of perceived social support from significant others, family, and friends were reported by parents.
- Parents desiring COVID-19 vaccination and those with vulnerable household members reported higher support from significant others.
- COVID-19 vaccination, absence of family conflicts, and having vulnerable household members were associated with higher family support.
- Desire for vaccination and absence of family conflicts correlated with higher friend support.
Conclusions:
- Perceived social support remained high among parents of hospitalized children despite the pandemic.
- Key factors influencing support included vaccination status, presence of vulnerable individuals at home, and intra-family dynamics.
- Findings can inform the development of targeted interventions to support this population.
Abstract:
It was March 2020 when the World Health Organization declared a global pandemic due to the spread of a virus known as SARS-CoV-2, which started in Wuhan (China) and spread across the world. From that time onward, all governments took specific measures to minimize virus outspread. Human beings faced several challenges in each aspect of life mainly the more vulnerable ones, such as parents with sick children who encountered not only with hospitalization but also with the negative effects posed by pandemic.
Purpose:
Purpose of this study was to explore levels of perceived social support and the associated factors in parents of hospitalized children.
Method And Material:
In the study were enrolled 110 parents (30 fathers and 80 mothers) of hospitalized children. Data were collected by the completion of "The Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS)," which included patients' self-reported characteristics. The statistical significance level was p < 0.05.
Results:
From the 110 participants, 50% scored over 22, 22, and 20 (median) in support from significant ones, family, and friends, respectively. In addition, 25% of parents scored above 25, 25, and 24, respectively. With respect to the possible range of scores (4-28), these values indicate high levels of social support. Statistically significant higher levels of support from significant ones were experienced by parents who desired to be COVID-19 vaccinated (p = 0.019) and had a person at home belonging to a vulnerable group (p = 0.001). In terms of support from family, statistically significantly higher levels had parents who had been COVID-19 vaccinated (p = 0.003), who had not experienced family conflicts during pandemic (p = 0.026), and those who had a person at home belonging to a vulnerable group (p = 0.001). Regarding support from friends, statistically significant levels were experienced by parents who wished to be vaccinated (p = 0.012) and who had not experienced family conflicts during pandemic (p = 0.050).
Conclusion:
Through this unprecedented global health issue, levels of support remained high. Vaccination, having a vulnerable person at home, and intra-family conflicts were associated with support. A better understanding of support in parents with hospitalized children may help in the planning of rational and cost-effective interventions.
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