Compari̇ng levels of depressi̇on, stress and anxi̇ety i̇n mothers of chi̇ldren wi̇th asthma duri̇ng preschool and school term

Introduction and Purpose: Economic burden and concerns about future of an illness arising from continuous care for chronic illnesses like asthma may cause psychological disorders such as anxiety, stress and depression among mothers. This study aims to compare the depression, anxiety and stress levels of mothers of pre-school and school age children as well as making an evaluation on independent factors affecting levels of the abovementioned psychological disorders. . Material and Method: Making use of the survey method, the research was carried out between April 4th 2021 and June 30 2021 and its sample includes asthmatic gender-free children between 0-18 ages and their mothers who applied for treatment at Pediatric Pulmonology and Pediatric Allergy and Immunology Polyclinics of Medicine Faculty of Dicle University. We employed the Sociodemographic Data Form and 'Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASÖ-21)' for this study. Findings: A total of 126 patients and their mothers were included in the scope of the study. 24 mothers (%19) turned out to be suffering from high or very high levels of depression while 39 mothers (%30,9) were suffering from high or very high levels of anxiety and 23 mothers (%18,3) turned out to be suffering from high or very high levels of stress. It has been found that mothers of school age asthmatic children (%63,9) suffered from higher levels of normal depression than mothers of pre-school asthmatic children (%36,1) (p=0,04). Also, it has been found out that mothers of school age asthmatic children (%55,7) suffered from higher levels of normal stress than mothers of pre-school asthmatic children (%24,6) (p< 0,001). Finally, it has been found out that mothers of school age asthmatic children (%73,8) suffered from higher levels of normal anxiety than mothers of pre-school asthmatic children (%24,6). A negative and statistically meaningful correlation has been found between children's ages and levels of depression (p=0,006, r=-0,24), anxiety (p=0,004, r=-0,25) and stress (p<0,001, r= -0,31). Patients who were not hospitalized within the last year were seemed to suffer from higher levels of depression, anxiety and stress (p=0,04, p=0,032 and p=0.03) respectively. A statistically meaningful correlation has been found between the lack of a chronical disease and normal levels of anxiety (p=0,02). Mothers without a chronic illness (%46,2) suffer from higher levels of normal anxiety than mothers with a chronic disease (%22,9). Conclusion: The study has found that mothers with asthmatic children suffer more from psychological problems at varying levels than the normal population and also that mothers of younger children suffer even more from depression, anxiety and stress. As mothers of children with chronic illnesses need more psychological and social support, their psychological moods need to be observed more closely and these mothers need to be provided social support and get informed about the ilnesses.